Delegates from various parts of Africa and international partners in the energy sector, led by Franz Drees-Gross, West African Regional Director of the World Bank, visited President Dr. Julius Maada Bio at State House in Freetown. The delegation informed the president about their ongoing conference in Sierra Leone, which aims to advance energy solutions across Africa.
Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security, introduced the team to President Bio and praised his dedication to the energy sector. He noted Sierra Leone’s role as host for designing a new Centralised Access to Energy Solutions initiative aimed at enhancing access to energy nationwide. This program is led by the World Bank along with Sustainable Energy for All and other global partners.
Franz Drees-Gross highlighted Mission 300’s goal to connect 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa to electricity by 2030. He attributed Sierra Leone’s involvement due to its government’s strong political commitment and progress in solar grid projects alongside Liberia, Chad, and Togo. “The decision to come here reflects Sierra Leone’s remarkable strides in energy reforms,” he said.
Damilola Ogunbiyi from Sustainable Energy for All commended Sierra Leone for electrifying six healthcare centers under Mission 300 and announced plans for 37 more centers soon. She emphasized that this initiative brings together several major organizations including the World Bank and African Development Bank.
Joseph Nganga from Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet praised President Bio’s leadership in achieving ambitious electrification goals: “Your leadership is driving the country to deliver ambitious yet achievable goals in electrification.”
President Bio expressed gratitude towards delegates’ support of Sierra Leone’s energy agenda while acknowledging challenges related to energy supply reliability: “Energy is a prerequisite for development…we are determined through strategic partnerships with global institutions.”
This meeting marks significant progress towards positioning Sierra Leone as a leader within renewable affordable energies across Africa.
