Freetown, 25th May 2026- Sierra Leone’s Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has said that although government has already made significant investments in human capital development, food security, and strategic sectors, yet one critical pillar of growth remains insufficient, access to reliable, affordable electricity.
“Access to reliable and affordable electricity is a binding constraint on economic growth in Sierra Leone,” the Vice President said.
He was speaking at the Freedom250 celebrations from the rooftop of the MCC Sierra Leone office in Freetown. By 2030, the mining sector alone will require over 500 megawatts of power, with current national generating capacity standing at around 200 megawatts.
Even with increased generation, over $300 million will be needed to expand and strengthen transmission and distribution systems to deliver electricity to industries, social institutions, and communities, he pointed out.
Jalloh acknowledged that governance challenges and capacity deficits make the energy problem daunting, but insisted it is not insurmountable. “We can turn this sector around in the medium term.”
The Vice President emphasized that meeting this challenge will require credible, sustained partnerships, pointing to the MCC Compact and other initiatives as proof of the United States’ consistent support. He described these investments as more than financial commitments, calling them “an overwhelming vote of confidence in Sierra Leone’s future and a foundation for growth, jobs, and opportunities that reliable energy can unlock.”
Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s history and ties with the United States, Jalloh urged that the future be defined by the transformation of the energy sector, powered by partnership and guided by a common commitment to progress.
With reliable electricity, he said, Sierra Leone can unlock industrial growth, expand opportunity, and deliver lasting prosperity, while strengthening ties that benefit both Sierra Leoneans and Americans.
Jalloh also noted that in today’s interconnected economy, national growth is tied to global stability. “Economic growth in one country is increasingly tied to opportunity, stability, and prosperity in others,” stressing that supporting Sierra Leone’s competitiveness is in the interest of both the United States and the wider international community.
