By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Presidential Adviser on Energy and Food Security, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, has revealed that the Government of Sierra Leone currently owes Karpowership a total $70 million. Dr. Yumkella made this disclosure during an interview on Radio Democracy 98.1’s “Good Morning Salone” program on Tuesday, July 9, 2025.
Despite the significant debt, Dr. Yumkella confirmed that the government has agreed to sign a one-year agreement with the Turkish-based power company to ensure continued energy supply to the country. The move, according to him, is part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to stabilize and improve the energy sector.
He explained that energy remains one of the government’s top priorities, and several strategies are being developed and implemented to sustain power generation and distribution across the country. “We are working on a lot of strategies to sustain the energy situation,” he said, noting that immediate steps have already been taken to start repairing key power generation machines in preparation for the dry season, when energy demand typically increases.
Dr. Yumkella emphasized the need for national unity and collaboration to overcome the country’s energy challenges. “We need every Sierra Leonean to come together and support efforts to fix the energy problems. This is not a government issue alone — it’s about all of us,” he stated.
He also expressed his gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio for his continued support and commitment to improving energy access. According to him, the President has been instrumental in pushing the energy sector forward and providing leadership that has enabled progress in addressing the electricity shortfall.
Dr. Yumkella disclosed that the capital city, Freetown, alone requires an estimated 130 megawatts of electricity to meet its current demand. This, he said, highlights the scale of the challenge the country is facing and the need for substantial investment in infrastructure, as well as efficient partnerships with international energy providers such as Karpowership.
Karpowership, a subsidiary of Turkey’s Karadeniz Energy Group, has been a key partner in supplying electricity to Sierra Leone through its floating power ships. The company has played a crucial role in stabilizing energy availability in recent years, but the accumulating debt has raised concerns about the sustainability of the arrangement.
While the new one-year agreement with Karpowership offers a temporary solution, Dr. Yumkella acknowledged that more long-term strategies are needed. He reiterated the government’s commitment to exploring diversified energy sources, enhancing local generation capacity, and ensuring a reliable supply for homes and businesses across the country.
The government’s decision to move forward with Karpowership despite the outstanding debt demonstrates its urgent need to prevent power outages and support economic activities dependent on a stable electricity supply.
As Sierra Leone continues to grapple with energy challenges, Dr. Yumkella’s message is clear — only through collective effort, strategic planning, and political will can the country achieve energy security for all its citizens.
