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Sierra Leone’s Energy Gamble: The Growing Economic Strain of Karpowership Deal

Sierra Leone’s Energy Gamble: The Growing Economic Strain of Karpowership Deal By: Musa Kamara As Sierra Leone grapples with mounting economic pressure, concerns are intensifying over the country’s continued reliance on Karpowership for electricity generation. In a recent interview on SLIK TV, prominent and often controversial journalist Thomas Dixon issued a stark warning, citing a World Bank assessment that maintaining Sierra Leone’s current electricity expenditure is "unsustainable" and could potentially crash the economy. “The World Bank has warned that relying on Karpowership without reform will lead to serious economic problems,” Dixon stated, pointing to the ballooning costs and debts associated with the power agreement. His remarks underscore a growing national debate about energy policy and fiscal responsibility. At a high-level stakeholder engagement hosted by the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) last Thursday, Deputy Minister of Energy I, Ing. E...
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We Will Ensure This Current Electricity Supply Is Sustainable” Chairman Yumkella Assures the Public

“ We Will Ensure This Current Electricity Supply Is Sustainable” Chairman Yumkella Assures the Public By: Musa Kamara On  Friday, June 13, 2025,  at a press briefing held at the Ministry of Energy’s conference room in Freetown, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Chariman and Sector Lead of the Ministry, delivered a strong message of assurance to the public: the lights will stay on. The briefing, moderated by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Mr. Chernor Bah, followed concern over electricity sustainability in the capital due to the looming phased reduction of output from the Turkish Karpowership. Despite that challenge, Freetown continues to enjoy relatively stable electricity supply, a success Chairman Yumkella attributes to strategic planning and coordinated effort. Dr. Yumkella opened by commending the leadership of the Ministry, including Deputy Ministers 1 and 2, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), the Electricity Generation and Transmission ...
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Sierra Leone Launches €34M Solar Mini-Grid Project to Power Rural Transformation

Sierra Leone Launches €34M Solar Mini-Grid Project to Power Rural Transformation By Musa Kamara   June 6, 2025 — In a bold step towards achieving universal energy access, President Julius Maada Bio has officially launched the €34 million Salone Off-Grid Renewable Energy Acceleration (SOGREA) Initiative, a transformative solar mini-grid project aimed at lighting up rural Sierra Leone. Funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS in partnership with Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the initiative is set to electrify 60 rural communities, bringing sustainable power to over 25,000 households and nearly 3,000 businesses by 2027. With energy access in rural areas at just 6%, the project marks a pivotal stride in Sierra Leone’s national development plan and its goal to increase renewable energy’s share in the power mix to 35% by 2030. President Bio used the occasion not only to reaffirm his government’s commitment to ending energy poverty but also to publicly acknowledge th...
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As President Bio Continues to Provide Steady and Visionary Leadership in the Energy Sector.... Hon. KKY Targets 80% Electricity Access Rate by 2030 through Mission 300 Compact

As President Bio Continues to Provide Steady and Visionary Leadership in the Energy Sector... Hon. KKY Targets 80% Electricity Access Rate by 2030 through Mission 300 Compact By Musa Kamara In a bold and transformative push to improve energy access, Chairman of the Energy Governance Coordination Group (EGCG), Alhaji Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella has set eyes on the Mission 300 Compact, a visionary initiative aimed at achieving 80% national electricity access by 2030. This marks one of the most ambitious energy reform plans in the country’s history, reflecting the government’s commitment to sustainable development, economic growth, and poverty alleviation. Mission 300 is an initiative led by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group to expand electricity access to 300 million people in Africa by 2030. The project aims to drive sustainable economic growth and development by providing reliable and affordable electricity, which is a critical link to various aspects of life, ...
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Dr. Yumkella Speaks Tough… Emphasized President’s Commitment to Breaking Emergency Power Cycle.

FEATURE   Dr. Yumkella Speaks Tough… Emphasized President’s Commitment to Breaking Emergency Power Cycle.   By: Musa Kamara February 20, 2025 – Freetown, Sierra Leone: Speaking on AYV Television, Alhaji Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF) who doubles as Chairman of the Energy Governance Coordinating Group spearheading the country’s energy sector has emphasized President Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to break the cycle of emergency power and resort to a more sustainable and independent source of power for the country. Speaking at the AYV Wake Up Sierra Leone Program on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, Dr. Yumkella addressed the pressing issue of emergency power in Sierra Leone, noting that the current administration was determined to break free from this "vicious circle." Stressing that, to do achieve that transition, “there is going to be some pain, but we have to weed ourselves...
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