President Julius Maada Bio has described the importance of the Millenium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) 480 million US Dollars grant as significant milestone for Sierra Leone.

“This signing is not just a formal agreement, it represents a transformative leap for our nation,” Bio said. He added that the energy sector is important in his development plans.

“Access to reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity goes beyond merely illuminating homes or pwering industries; it serves as a catalyst for growth, stimulates innovation, and helps lift communities out of poverty,” he said.

The President extended his gratitude to the MCC in the presence of their CEO, Alice Albright.

The 480 million US Dollar grant is the largest ever received by the West African nation which still suffers from intermittent power cuts.

According to the Africa Energy Portal (AEP), only 27.3 percent of the local population have access to electricity. The situation is even worse in the rural areas than the cities as only 4.9 percent.

“In rural areas, where the bulk of the population resides, electricity access is practically non-existent,” the AEP said.

Sierra Leone was awarded the grant on Friday, September 27 in Washington in a drive to ameliorate the country’s energy crisis.