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A transformative $1 billion investment by the United States Government is set to reshape Sierra Leone’s economic and infrastructure landscape over the next five years.
The initiative, which forms part of President Julius Maada Bio’s Medium-Term National Development Plan, promises to deliver significant improvements in energy, job creation, and economic stability.
Chief Minister Dr. Moinina David Sengeh outlined key details of the investment on social media, emphasizing the broad-reaching impacts for businesses, ordinary citizens, and the nation’s economy.
The investment includes funding from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), which has already disbursed resources for the Nant Project. This project will deliver 108 megawatts (MW) of liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered electricity within 18 months, more than doubling Sierra Leone’s current baseload energy supply. The LNG supply, cheaper than diesel alternatives, is expected to power more businesses and households across the country.
Significant funds will go toward constructing transmission lines nationwide and integrating Sierra Leone’s grid with the Côte d’Ivoire–Liberia–Sierra Leone–Guinea (CLSG) power network. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) will oversee procurement processes over the next 18 months, aiming to complete the project within five years.
The investment will also support much-needed reforms in the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), promoting progressive policies and operational efficiency in Sierra Leone’s energy sector.
Thousands of jobs will be created during the construction phase, with additional service jobs to follow. Notably, the investment is expected to catalyze the construction of a five-star hotel and a potential exhibition center in Lungi within 24 months, creating further employment opportunities and boosting tourism.
By transitioning to more stable and cost-effective energy sources like LNG, Sierra Leone aims to reduce its dependency on volatile diesel prices. This transition is expected to contribute to greater economic stability and reduce the financial burden on businesses and consumers.
Chief Minister Sengeh credited President Bio’s proactive diplomacy and development agenda for securing the investment. “It didn’t happen because we sat at home. It happened because President Bio went to look for it—for you,” he stated.
This U.S. partnership builds on past successes, including the newly operational airport in Lungi, also backed by DFC funding, signaling a strong commitment to infrastructure-led growth in Sierra Leone.
The $1 billion investment underscores the critical role of infrastructure in driving national development and marks a significant step forward for Sierra Leone’s energy, tourism, and economic sectors.
