Ministers Approve Freetown Declaration to Expand Renewable Energy Access in West, Central Africa

Energy Ministers from six nations have formally adopted the Freetown Declaration, a ground-breaking agreement aimed at accelerating distributed renewable energy (DRE) solutions across West and Central Africa.

The Ministers pledged to leverage financial and technical support from the World Bank Group and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) to develop a collaborative platform dedicated to eliminating energy poverty while fostering job creation in the region.

The declaration emphasizes the crucial role of DRE solutions, such as mini-grids and solar systems, in expanding energy access affordably and efficiently. It also calls for increased private sector involvement to bolster efforts in addressing energy challenges in underserved communities.

Hon. Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of Sierra Leone’s Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security, highlighted the urgency of the initiative.
“Distributed renewable energy resources, like mini-grids, provide a swift, adaptable, and economical means to deliver energy to underserved communities,” Yumkella said. “Given the concentrated challenge of electricity access in West and Central Africa, it’s imperative for donors and development finance institutions to unite and maximize their impact by expanding access initiatives at both regional and national levels.”

The declaration aims to facilitate cooperation among nations and development partners to scale up renewable energy projects and address the region’s pressing energy deficits.

The initiative comes as West and Central Africa face acute energy challenges, with millions lacking reliable electricity access. By prioritizing DRE solutions, the Freetown Declaration seeks to create sustainable pathways to energy security and economic development.

Stakeholders anticipate the collaboration will yield significant progress in reducing energy poverty and supporting regional climate goals. Implementation efforts are expected to begin in Sierra Leone and expand across participating countries in the coming months.