At a press conference hosted by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education on October 8, 2024, Ndeye Fatu Koroma, National Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Compact Development Unit, revealed that approximately 4.6 million Sierra Leoneans will benefit from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact.
The five-year project, with an initial two-year mobilization phase, aims to significantly boost the country’s energy infrastructure.
The $480 million compact will be directed towards constructing new transmission lines and substations nationwide, focusing on agricultural and high-production areas. This investment is expected to improve the energy sector by reforming key agencies such as the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC), and the Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC). These reforms will aim to digitize operations, enhance service delivery, and ultimately lower electricity tariffs.
Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President, Manty Tarawalli, expressed pride in Sierra Leone’s independent achievement of securing the MCC Compact, emphasizing the country’s reliance on local expertise.
She highlighted the critical role of energy in advancing the government’s “Feed Salone Project,” which focuses on enhancing food security through improved irrigation systems and infrastructure.
William Sao Lamina, Executive Director of Accountability Now Sierra Leone, praised the MCC Compact as a transformative opportunity for the country and called for active media and civil society involvement to ensure transparency in its implementation.
He urged Sierra Leoneans to embrace the project for its potential to uplift millions of lives.
With cabinet approval already in place, the MCC Compact now awaits parliamentary endorsement. Once approved, an agency led by the Vice President will oversee its execution. Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, concluded the press conference by stating that Sierra Leone stands at a transformative moment, with the MCC Compact marking a significant step toward inclusive development and global energy leadership.
