Sierra Leone has been selected as a beneficiary in the second cohort of the Mission 300 initiative, a program aiming to electrify 300 million people across Africa by 2030.

The announcement was made during the inaugural Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The initiative is spearheaded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank Group (WBG), and global partners. The Summit secured USD 48 billion from the AfDB and the World Bank plus an additional USD 5 billion in new funding pledges, bringing the total for Mission 300 to over $50 billion over six years.

Sierra Leone’s selection comes as a result of the country’s remarkable progress in transforming the energy sector under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio. This progress has been underpinned by Sierra Leone’s Just Energy Transition and Green Growth Plan, the government’s ambitious target to deploy 200 mini-grids as part of a Rural Electrification Drive, and comprehensive energy sector reforms.

As a member of the second cohort, Sierra Leone has officially endorsed the Dar es Salaam Energy Compact Declaration, reaffirming its commitment to define country-specific targets and timelines. This commitment aligns with Sierra Leone’s National Development Plan and the global ambition to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 – ensuring affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all.

The government of Sierra Leone is pleased to note that Raj Shah, President of the Rockefeller Foundation, has pledged to assist Sierra Leone in developing its National Energy Compact.

Sierra Leone stands ready to harness the opportunities presented by Mission 300 to deliver transformative energy solutions for its citizens and contribute to Africa’s prosperity.