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, including education, healthcare, and job creation. 

On Monday, 14 April 2025, Hon. Yumkella updated the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Energy and noted that, "plans are now afoot to have energy access increased from the current 36% to 80% by 2030." The Mission 300 Compact project is key in achieving this major milestone and making Sierra Leone energy secured. 

In January of this year, President Julius Maada Bio attended and participated at the Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. His participation and visionary leadership helped Sierra Leone to be included on the second cohort of Mission 300 initiative and qualified to benefit from a $50 billion initiative aimed at electrifying 300 million Africans by 2030. This came as a result of the significant progress in energy transformation under President Julius Maada Bio's leadership. 

At the heart of Mission 300 Sierra Leone Compact, is a goal to increase energy generation exponentially. The current installed national capacity is 271 MW and the ambition is to increase that to 1.28 GW by 2030 to provide reliable, and sustainable energy to the national grid. This project will focus on a balanced mix of renewables, gas-powered generation, and mini-grid solutions to reach both urban and hard-to-reach rural communities.

The initiative is aligned with Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan the Energy Transition and Green Growth Plan.

Currently, only about 36% of Sierra Leoneans have access to electricity, with rural access even lower. This energy deficit stifles industrial growth, limits educational and healthcare outcomes, and exacerbates poverty. By targeting 80% access, the government hopes to: Spur industrialization and job creation, especially connecting the mining companies to the national grid, enhance healthcare services through reliable power for clinics and hospitals, boost education with electricity in schools and digital learning infrastructure, empower entrepreneurs and small businesses, particularly women-led enterprises

Mission 300 seeks to mobilize both public and private sector investments in energy infrastructure. This includes grid extensions, improvement of transmission lines, substation upgrades, and decentralized systems such as solar mini-grids, dam construction or rehabilitation. 

Already, there are indicstions that, the government plans to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework to attract investors, ensure transparency, and build consumer trust in the energy sector. 

The success of Mission 300 hinges on strong partnerships. Already, Dr. Yumkella and his team are leading series of discussions with the World Bank, African Development Bank, and several international energy companies. The government also plans to streamline funding and reduce investor risk.

Mission 300 is more than just an energy policy, it's a social and economic revolution. With improved electricity access, Sierra Leone can unlock new industries, expand digital services, and build a foundation for long-term prosperity. If successful, it could serve as a model for other developing nations striving for energy transformation.

By targeting 80% electricity access by 2030, President Julius Maada Bio and his team are setting Sierra Leone on a bold path to energy independence and inclusive development. Mission 300 may just be the compact that lights the way to a brighter, more resilient future for all Sierra Leoneans.