By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
In a significant stride toward a sustainable energy future, the Government of Sierra Leone has finalized a $2.2 billion energy deal with international partners to expand electricity generation and distribution nationwide. Described as one of the largest agreements in the nation’s history, the deal aims to enhance power supply, drive industrial development, and improve living standards for millions of Sierra Leoneans. However, for the residents of Freetown’s Kissy community, persistent power shortages cast a shadow over the optimism surrounding this milestone.
Kissy, a bustling urban hub known for its vibrant commerce and hardworking residents, has long grappled with unreliable electricity, characterized by frequent blackouts and inadequate voltage. These disruptions hinder businesses and daily life, leaving locals frustrated. “We hear about billions invested in energy, but our community remains in darkness,” said a local shopkeeper, echoing the sentiments of many in Kissy who feel overlooked despite national progress.
While the energy deal promises widespread infrastructure improvements, its immediate impact on underserved urban areas like Kissy remains uncertain. Energy experts have urged the government to prioritize equitable distribution, noting that the initial focus on large-scale grid expansion and rural electrification may delay benefits for urban communities facing unique infrastructural challenges.
The Ministry of Energy has defended the agreement, highlighting its inclusion of renewable energy sources such as hydro, solar, and gas, alongside plans to modernize the national transmission network for greater efficiency. Officials assert that these improvements will eventually benefit all regions, though no specific timeline has been provided for addressing Kissy’s needs.
Community leaders and civil society organizations are calling for greater transparency and accountability in the project’s rollout. Past large-scale initiatives, they argue, have often fallen short of delivering promised benefits due to mismanagement or insufficient oversight. A Kissy community spokesperson stated, “We support the energy deal, but we need to see electricity in our homes, not just headlines or reports.”
The disparity between national ambitions and local realities raises critical questions about equitable development in Sierra Leone. While the deal garners international acclaim, the daily struggles of communities like Kissy highlight a gap between policy and practice. Residents continue to rely on costly and environmentally unsustainable alternatives such as generators, candles, and small solar kits to meet their energy needs.
Economic analysts underscore the transformative potential of the $2.2 billion investment, noting that reliable electricity could boost small businesses, create jobs, and enable industries to operate at full capacity. However, they caution that without targeted community engagement and infrastructure upgrades, the benefits may remain unevenly distributed, exacerbating existing disparities.
As Sierra Leone embarks on the implementation phase of this landmark energy agreement, the nation’s attention remains fixed on its outcomes. The deal holds the promise of redefining the country’s energy landscape, but for communities like Kissy, the hope for reliable power remains tempered by years of unfulfilled promises. For now, while the vision of progress shines brightly in policy documents, the streets of Kissy await the light of meaningful change.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 13th October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
