By Hassan Osman Kargbo
President Julius Maada Bio has reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment and readiness to deliver transformative progress in the country’s energy sector. Speaking on Monday, October 20, 2025, at the third edition of the Climate Resilience and Energy Transition Dialogue (CRET 2025), held at the Bintumani International Conference Centre in Freetown, President Bio said Sierra Leone is on a strong footing to deliver on its energy ambitions and bring positive outcomes to its citizens.
“Our country is in good footing to deliver, and we will surely bring positive news to the people of Sierra Leone,” the President declared, underscoring his administration’s determination to achieve energy sufficiency and resilience in the face of global climate challenges.
CRET 2025 brought together policymakers, development partners, investors, climate experts, and civil society actors to discuss innovative strategies for building a climate-resilient and energy-secure Sierra Leone. The forum serves as a platform to align national priorities with global efforts to transition toward cleaner, sustainable, and inclusive energy systems.
In his keynote address, President Bio emphasized that the dialogue goes beyond policy discussions and focuses on empowering people to lead and benefit from the energy transition. “At CRET 2025, our focus goes beyond shaping policies — we are shaping people. We are building a Sierra Leone where innovation drives progress, where opportunities are shared equitably, and where every citizen is empowered to shape and transform their own future,” he stated.
He noted that the government has made significant strides in creating an enabling environment for investment in the energy sector through improved governance, infrastructure expansion, and public-private partnerships. The President highlighted that access to reliable and affordable energy remains a cornerstone of his government’s development agenda, as it fuels growth, supports industrialization, and enhances quality of life.
President Bio also commended the role of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Resilience and Environmental Financing (PI-CREF) for its coordination efforts and contribution to investment mobilization in the energy sector. “I would like to acknowledge the pivotal role of PI-CREF in enhancing coordination and serving as a catalyst for investment mobilization,” he said.
He extended sincere appreciation to the PI-CREF team for their commitment and collaboration in advancing Sierra Leone’s climate and energy goals. The President further recognized the leadership of Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of PI-CREF and Energy Sector Lead at the Ministry of Energy, describing his stewardship as exemplary and instrumental in moving the nation’s clean energy transition forward.
“My sincere appreciation goes to the entire team. I also wish to recognize the Chairman of PI-CREF and Energy Sector Lead at the Ministry of Energy, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, for his exemplary leadership and dedicated stewardship of this initiative,” President Bio remarked.
He reiterated that the government remains focused on harnessing renewable energy resources, improving national grid systems, and ensuring that energy delivery reaches every community across Sierra Leone.
President Bio’s remarks at CRET 2025 reaffirmed his administration’s broader vision for a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient economy anchored on clean energy and climate-smart investments.
The dialogue concluded with renewed commitments from stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, increase financing for renewable projects, and accelerate Sierra Leone’s transition toward a green and energy-secure future.
