By Sulaiman Jalloh
In a significant stride toward alleviating Sierra Leone’s energy crisis, the government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, signed a $20 million amendment agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Friday, June 13, 2025. This deal aims to expand the power distribution network along the Freetown Peninsula, marking a pivotal step in enhancing energy access.
The agreement reflects the government’s resolve to tackle the persistent challenge of affordable and reliable electricity, a burden long felt by citizens, beyond energy provision, the project is expected to generate employment opportunities along the coast and support key national priorities Feed Salone, health, infrastructure, and human capital development outlined in the Big Five Game Changers agenda.
Mr. Yonebayashi Norihito, JICA’s representative in Sierra Leone, highlighted the partnership’s potential during the signing. His Excellency Mr. Yoshimoto Hiroshi, Japan’s Ambassador to Sierra Leone, based in Accra, Ghana, praised the enduring bilateral ties, expressing optimism for future collaboration, this agreement inspires hope for a strengthened partnership, he noted.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Musa Kabba, expressed deep gratitude to Japan in his closing remarks, access to energy is not a luxury but a necessity, he emphasized, underscoring the government’s commitment to the project’s effective execution, he highlighted that extending energy access will not only meet the growing population’s needs but also unlock opportunities in investment, education, healthcare, and jobs your technical expertise and collaboration affirm the robust friendship Sierra Leone cultivates globally, Kabba added, acknowledging Japan’s longstanding development support.
The ceremony, attended by government officials including deputy Minister of Energy II, Dr. Abdul Rahim Jalloh, underscored the urgency of addressing electricity access challenges, setting an optimistic tone for the peninsula’s energy future.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 18th June, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
