By Emma Black
In what is being hailed as one of Sierra Leone’s most significant diplomatic and development achievements in recent history, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has emerged as the pivotal figure behind the country’s successful acquisition of a $480 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact from the United States.
Approved in July 2025, the Compact marks the largest U.S. investment in Sierra Leone to date, and is poised to transform the country’s fragile energy sector expanding electricity access, strengthening grid infrastructure, and reforming governance in the power industry.
But beyond the headlines lies a narrative of persistent leadership, strategic diplomacy, and years of behind-the-scenes negotiation led by Vice President Jalloh.
As Chair of Sierra Leone’s MCC Steering Committee, Dr. Jalloh played a central role in guiding the nation through the rigorous MCC eligibility process overseeing key institutional reforms, coordinating cross-ministerial efforts, and advocating for the country’s preparedness in Washington and beyond.
This Compact reflects Sierra Leone’s commitment to policy reform and investment in infrastructure that will drive long-term growth and reduce poverty, said Alice Albright, CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, during the official announcement.
That commitment, stakeholders agree, would not have materialized without the steady hand of the Vice President. His office spearheaded efforts under the earlier MCC Threshold Program focused on strengthening anti-corruption systems, improving energy sector governance, and enhancing public financial management all prerequisites for qualifying for the full Compact.
A longstanding proponent of energy reform, Dr. Jalloh has often referred to electricity as the backbone of our economy, he has consistently advocated for a national strategy that links energy access to job creation, education, and healthcare delivery.
With only a fraction of the population currently having reliable electricity, the Compact promises a bold shift. Its core components include expanding the national grid, reducing technical and commercial losses in electricity distribution, and building institutional capacity in the energy sector.
The Government of Sierra Leone is also contributing $14.2 million to the programdemonstrating domestic commitment and national ownership.
Dr. Jalloh’s leadership has not been confined to local policy. Internationally, he served as Sierra Leone’s chief envoy in Compact negotiations leading high-level meetings with MCC executives in Washington D.C., advocating at the United Nations General Assembly, and most recently, presenting Sierra Leone’s reform credentials at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla, Spain.
We are building a credible environment for investment, Dr. Jalloh said in Sevilla. Now we need our partners to meet us halfway with capital and confidence, U.S. Ambassador David Reimer echoed this sentiment during the threshold program’s conclusion:
The progress made under Vice President Jalloh’s leadership demonstrated real commitment to transparency, accountability, and results.
With implementation set to begin, Dr. Jalloh’s continued oversight will be crucial to ensuring the MCC Compact delivers on its promises. Ministries, regulatory bodies, and development partners will coordinate under a unified strategy aimed at delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses across Sierra Leone.
As Sierra Leone turns a new chapter in its development journey, the $480 million Compact is more than just a financial agreement it’s a national commitment to transformation. And at the heart of that effort is a Vice President whose blend of reform-minded leadership and global diplomacy has helped light the path forward.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday,28th July, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
