The Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), on Tuesday, 7th October 2025, held its weekly press conference to brief the public on key government programs, international engagements, and progress toward national development goals.
The session focused on strengthening civic participation, advancing energy access through the Mission 300 Compact, and reinforcing the government’s vision for inclusive growth and sustainability.
Mohamed Jaward Nyallay, Strategic Communication Officer at the Ministry, highlighted the success of the recently held Civic Day Series in the United States.
The event attracted nine cabinet ministers, over 300 Sierra Leoneans, and generated nearly 30 questions on national development and governance.
Mr. Nyallay emphasized that the Ministry remains committed to expanding civic engagement both domestically and internationally. He announced that the next phase of the Civic Day Series will take place in Bo District on 13th and 14th October 2025, aimed at deepening government–citizen dialogue and bridging the communication gap across the country.
The Energy Sector Lead and Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, provided updates on Sierra Leone’s inclusion in the Mission 300 Compact a continental initiative targeting electricity access for 300 million Africans by 2030.
Dr. Yumkella explained that although Sierra Leone was not part of the original list, extensive engagement by Sierra Leonean energy experts led to the establishment of the Sierra Leone Mission 300 Compact, which received endorsement from the World Bank and African Development Bank in New York, September 2025.
Dr. Yumkella outlined five strategic pillars driving the $2.2 billion Sierra Leone Mission 300 Compact, Expanding national power generation capacity, leveraging regional energy integration, Promoting decentralized renewable energy systems, incentivizing private sector investment, Strengthening financial governance and utility management.
These pillars, he noted, form the backbone of Sierra Leone’s energy transition agenda, aligning with global commitments to sustainability and economic growth.
Under the Mission 300 Compact, Sierra Leone aims to achieve transformative energy milestones by 2030, including, increasing electricity access from 36% to 78%., Raising renewable energy usage from 46% to 52%., Expanding installed generation capacity from 271 MW to 1.12 GW., Boosting clean cooking access from 1.5% to 25%., Growing private sector investment from $615 million to $1.4 billion.
Dr. Yumkella stated that these targets will be funded through a mix of government allocations, multilateral support, and private sector investments.
Minister of Finance, Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, clarified that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact and Mission 300 Compact are complementary but distinct initiatives.
While the MCC Compact focuses on foundational infrastructure including transmission lines, distribution systems, and dispatch centers the Mission 300 Compact targets energy generation projects such as hydro, solar, and gas-powered systems to increase national output.
Minister Bangura emphasized that financing for both compacts will come from a combination of government resources, multilateral partners, and private investment, ensuring a sustainable and inclusive energy expansion.
Minister Bangura further noted that the Mission 300 Compact is fully bankable, with each project component costed and supported by a robust business plan.
He added that ongoing sector reforms have helped de-risk Sierra Leone’s energy landscape, break monopolies, and attract greater private sector participation.
Jestina Komba, Acting Executive Director of the Human Capital Development Consortium, commended the government for prioritizing energy access as a foundation for inclusive growth.
She highlighted that reliable electricity is vital to strengthening education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment, describing energy as “a catalyst for sustainable national development.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability through continuous public engagement. The press conference concluded with a call for collective national support toward achieving universal energy access and deepening citizen participation in governance.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday, 10th October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
