By Hassan Osman Kargbo
Sierra Leone has achieved a significant milestone under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio by becoming a beneficiary of the Mission 300 initiative. This transformative program, spearheaded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank Group (WBG), and global partners, aims to electrify 300 million people across Africa by 2030.
The announcement came during the inaugural Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar-Es-Salaam- Tanzania where President Bio joined other heads of state, global leaders, private sector actors, and development partners to chart Africa’s path toward universal energy access.
The Summit marked a pivotal moment, securing $48 billion from the AfDB and WBG, with an additional $5 billion in new funding pledges, bringing Mission 300’s total funding to over $50 billion for the next six years.
As a member of the second cohort of Mission 300 countries, Sierra Leone has officially endorsed the Dar-Es-Salaam Energy Compact Declaration. The declaration reaffirms the country’s commitment to developing country-specific energy targets and timelines that align with its National Development Plan and the global ambition to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goal 7—ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all.
President Bio highlighted Sierra Leone’s readiness to harness the opportunities provided by Mission 300, noting the nation’s considerable strides in transforming its energy sector. The achievements include the launch of Sierra Leone’s Just Energy Transition and Green Growth Plan, the ambitious target to deploy 200 mini-grids as part of the Rural Electrification Drive, and sweeping reforms within the energy sector.
The first cohort of Mission 300 included 12 countries—Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia—that have already presented their National Energy Compacts. Sierra Leone’s inclusion in the second cohort signifies global recognition of the country’s progress and dedication to achieve universal energy access.
Raj Shah, President of the Rockefeller Foundation, pledged support for Sierra Leone in the development of its National Energy Compact, the partnership further underscoring the international community’s confidence in Sierra Leone’s ability to deliver transformative energy solutions.
With its inclusion in Mission 300, Sierra Leone is poised to leverage the program’s vast resources and partnerships to drive energy development and contribute to Africa’s economic growth. “This initiative represents a historic opportunity for Sierra Leone to transform lives, power communities, and create sustainable development for future generations,” President Bio remarked during the summit.
Sierra Leone’s participation in Mission 300 reaffirms its commitment to energy access, rural electrification, and climate resilience, solidifying its role as a leader in Africa’s green energy transition.
