By Kelfala Kargbo
Freetown, 6th July 2026 – The United States marked its 250th Independence anniversary in Freetown with a bold pledge of nearly $725 million in investments to transform Sierra Leone’s energy, health, and infrastructure sectors. The celebration, hosted at the U.S. Embassy, also served as a farewell for Chargé d’Affaires Jared M. Yancey, whose tenure in Sierra Leone is drawing to a close.
The reception drew senior government officials, parliamentarians, traditional leaders, diplomats, and representatives of international organizations. Against the backdrop of America’s milestone, Yancey emphasized that U.S. engagement in Sierra Leone is not fleeting but institutional, promising continuity as new leadership arrives.
“A new Chargé d’Affaires will arrive shortly, and we look forward to welcoming a new U.S. Ambassador to Freetown in the months ahead. The faces may change; the commitment does not,” Yancey assured.
Yancey spotlighted America’s capital commitment to Sierra Leone, stressing that U.S. investment follows opportunity. The Nant Energy project will deliver clean, reliable power to underserved communities, while the proposed Lungi Bridge promises to connect Freetown directly to the international airport, a transformative infrastructure project expected to open markets and attract investors.
“The United States has committed nearly $725 million in Sierra Leone, because American capital follows opportunity, and this country has it,” Yancey declared.
On health, Yancey highlighted a landmark five‑year, $173 million bilateral Health Cooperation MOU signed last December. The initiative, co‑funded by Sierra Leone, aims to reduce malaria deaths, strengthen disease surveillance, and build sustainable health systems. He also noted the near completion of the Population‑based HIV Impact Assessment, which will provide crucial data to expand treatment access.
As he prepares to depart, Yancey reflects warmly on his experiences in Sierra Leone, from tasting cassava leaf to visiting Bunce Island and the Peace Museum. He described the hospitality of Sierra Leoneans as unforgettable, calling them his “Salone family.”
“And most of all, I think about the resilience of what can now only be referred to as my Salone family and the warmth with which they embraced not only me, but my family as well,” he shared.
The celebration underscored the symbolic bond between the two nations: America’s 250 years of independence and Sierra Leone’s 65. Both, Yancey noted, embody the struggle and determination to chart independent courses and sustain them.
As Sierra Leone looks ahead to new opportunities in energy, health, and infrastructure, the U.S. Embassy’s message was clear America’s milestone is also Sierra Leone’s moment, with a partnership designed to endure and deliver prosperity.
