The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government development agency, has approved a $480 million, five-year grant to Sierra Leone.
The funding aims to enhance access to reliable and affordable electricity for 4.6 million citizens in the West African nation, where only 30% of the population currently has electricity.
In rural areas, access drops to below 5%.
This initiative will involve three key projects aimed at expanding the reach and reliability of the country’s power network while ensuring the sector’s sustainability. The MCC shared the details in a statement released on Friday.
Sierra Leone’s energy sector has faced challenges, highlighted by the resignation of the energy minister in April after a prolonged electricity crisis caused by tens of millions of dollars in unpaid debts to energy providers.
