By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
Sierra Leone’s energy sector is on the brink of transformation as on Tuesday the 4 March 2025 stakeholders gather at the Kissy Terminal to assess progress on the country’s first-ever gas power generation plant. The $420 million Nant Energy Project, expected to redefine the nation’s energy landscape, was the focal point of discussions led by Energy Sector Lead, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, during a high-level stakeholder engagement meeting on Monday.
Dr. Yumkella emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the project’s success, reaffirming President Julius Maada Bio’s vision of attracting credible investments to drive national development. He stressed the need to eliminate any bureaucratic hurdles that might hinder the project’s timely execution.
“My role is to ensure that every bottleneck or barrier that causes delays is removed, accelerating project implementation,” Dr. Yumkella stated.
A Step Toward Energy Sovereignty
Launched by President Bio on June 18, 2024, the Nant Power Generation Project is set to provide reliable electricity access to households and businesses across the country. In his remarks, Dr. Yumkella revealed plans to travel to the United States alongside the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to advocate for further energy investments in Sierra Leone.
With energy sector reforms playing a pivotal role in the government’s Feed Salone Agenda, this milestone initiative is expected to boost industrial growth, improve service delivery, and significantly reduce reliance on costly fuel imports.
Stakeholders Reaffirm Commitment
Labour Minister Mohamed Rahman Swarray highlighted the project’s employment potential, assuring that local labor would be prioritized to maximize benefits for Sierra Leoneans.
Hon. Kekura Vandi, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, commended former Energy Minister Alhaji Dr. Kanja Sesay for his instrumental role in securing parliamentary ratification for the project.
Providing a progress update, Nant Energy General Manager Abu Kamara reassured stakeholders that foundational work would commence soon, with visible site transformation expected within three months.
A New Era for Sierra Leone’s Energy Sector
As the nation moves toward energy independence, the Nant Energy Project stands as a beacon of progress, promising to deliver sustainable and affordable electricity to power Sierra Leone’s future. With unwavering government support and strategic investments, this initiative is poised to be a cornerstone of economic growth and national development.