In a major boost for the country’s energy sector, the World Bank has approved US$60 million for Sierra Leone under the first phase of the Regional Programme for Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Solutions (Regional DARES).
The financing is part of a broader US853 million regional initiative.
The investment directly supports Sierra Leone’s National Energy Compact under Mission 300 and aims to expand electricity access through solar home systems, mini-grids, and other off-grid renewable energy solutions — particularly in rural and underserved communities where extending the national grid remains costly and difficult.
Currently, only 36 percent of Sierra Leoneans have access to electricity. Regional DARES seeks to change that by mobilizing an additional US$54 million in private investment, while also connecting health facilities, schools, and businesses to reliable power.
Beyond expanding access, the programme is expected to drive economic growth by enabling farmers, small businesses, and cooperatives to increase productivity and create value chains. It will also strengthen Sierra Leone’s transition to cleaner, more climate-resilient energy.
Minister of Energy, Hon. Cyril Grant, welcomed the approval, stating:
“The approval of Regional DARES is another important step towards achieving universal access to electricity in Sierra Leone. Distributed renewable energy offers the fastest and most practical way to reach many of our rural communities. This investment will help bring reliable electricity to households, schools, health facilities, and businesses, while creating opportunities for economic growth. We are committed to ensuring that these resources deliver real benefits for the people of Sierra Leone.”
The program builds on ongoing reforms and recent investments in Sierra Leone’s energy sector, including the Respite Project, as well as broader efforts to strengthen the electricity sector and attract greater private sector participation.