1 Comment
Energy Sector Lead Dr. Kandeh Yumkella recently attended a community engagement meeting for the Nant Power Generation Project at Kissy, Eastern Freetown, on March 3, 2025.
Dr. Yumkella thanked Nant Energy for overcoming numerous challenges to bring the project to life. He pointed out that under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, Sierra Leone continues to attract credible investors and investments. Dr. Yumkella mentioned that the $420 million Nant project, backed by the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC), is the largest DFC-financed energy project in Africa.
“My role is to ensure that any obstacles causing delays are removed, so we can speed up the project’s implementation,” Dr. Yumkella said. He added that the Nant project aligns with the country’s long-term energy policies and goals.
The project, launched by President Bio at a groundbreaking ceremony in June 2024, is expected to improve electricity access across the country. Dr. Yumkella also mentioned that he plans to travel to the United States with DFC officials to advocate for further investments in Sierra Leone’s energy sector.
Minister of Labour, Employment, and Social Security Mohamed Rahman Swarray shared his excitement about the project and stressed the importance of job creation. “As someone responsible for the country’s employment landscape, I’m here to ensure Sierra Leoneans are prioritized in the recruitment process for this project,” he said.
During the meeting, Hon. Kekura Vandi, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, praised former Minister of Energy Dr. Alhaji Kanja Sesay for his role in securing parliamentary approval for the project. He acknowledged the challenges of providing reliable electricity but assured that the Nant project would play an important role in meeting the country’s energy needs.
Abu Kamara, General Manager of Nant Energy, provided an update on the project’s progress and discussed upcoming plans. “In three months, this area will look completely different as we begin the foundational work,” he said.
As reforms continue within the energy sector, the Nant Power Generation Project stands as a key part of Sierra Leone’s long-term energy strategy, offering lasting benefits for the country’s power supply and economic development.
This project is more than ten years old, so lae den lef for take credit for all tin nor. It was begun by a Zambian company, CECA and a Dubai company TCQ, was also involved. CECA, I think may have mostly divested. The name has been changed and it is now the Nant project. It is not a project that started under Bio and the companies involved raised the funds themselves The loan from the US is not because of the illegitimate cocaine Bio administration’s doing