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Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, delivered a powerful keynote address at the 10th Powering Africa Summit, showcasing the transformative impact of U.S.-Africa energy partnerships on his nation’s development.
Minister Mattai emphasized the critical role of the U.S. Power Africa Initiative, particularly highlighting the $44.4 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant that has significantly bolstered Sierra Leone’s regulatory, water, and electricity sectors.
A key highlight of his speech was the celebration of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation’s (DFC) $412 million investment in the Nant Energy gas-to-power project. This landmark initiative, he explained, will effectively double Sierra Leone’s energy capacity through the construction of a new 105-megawatt thermal power plant.
Furthermore, Minister Mattai spotlighted Sierra Leone’s $480 million MCC Compact, launched in 2024. This ambitious project aims to bring electricity to 4.6 million people through strategic investments in transmission, distribution, and sector reforms. He stressed that these initiatives are not merely about powering homes and businesses, but also about creating an environment conducive to investment, stimulating industrial growth, and unlocking Sierra Leone’s vast potential in critical minerals, including lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements.
In his concluding remarks, Minister Mattai reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s unwavering commitment to fostering sustainable, market-driven energy solutions. He extended a call to action to investors, policymakers, and international partners, urging them to build upon the existing successes and accelerate progress.
“Sierra Leone stands at the threshold of an energy revolution,” Minister Mattai declared, passionately encouraging stakeholders to seize this pivotal moment and work collectively towards a future where affordable, reliable, and secure energy is a reality for all.
