Makeni, 30 June 2026 – President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has pledged that Makeni will benefit from a more reliable electricity supply by next year as the government intensifies efforts to tackle the city’s long-standing power challenges.
Speaking during the third Presidential Town Hall Meeting in Makeni, the President acknowledged residents’ frustrations over frequent power outages and outlined the factors contributing to the uneven distribution of electricity across Sierra Leone.
He explained that Bo, Kenema and Kailahun currently enjoy relatively stable electricity because they receive imported power through the regional electricity interconnection network linking Sierra Leone with neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea.
In contrast, other parts of the country, including Makeni, depend largely on domestic hydroelectric generation, which is heavily affected during the dry season.
According to President Bio, falling water levels during the dry season reduce hydroelectric output, placing additional pressure on the national grid and leading to widespread electricity shortages.
“The greatest challenge we face is power generation during the dry season when water levels fall,” the President said, noting that fluctuations in hydroelectric production continue to affect electricity distribution nationwide.
Despite the current situation, President Bio expressed confidence that ongoing investments in the energy sector would significantly improve electricity generation, transmission and distribution. He said the government is implementing measures to strengthen the national power system, with Makeni expected to see a marked improvement in electricity supply by next year.
The President reaffirmed that expanding access to reliable electricity remains a central pillar of his administration’s development agenda, stressing that dependable power is critical for economic growth, industrialisation, healthcare, education and employment creation.
He added that the government is modernising the country’s energy infrastructure through increased investment in power generation, transmission networks and regional electricity partnerships to ensure sustainable and affordable electricity reaches communities across Sierra Leone.
The assurance comes as residents and businesses in Makeni continue to express concern over persistent power outages, which have disrupted commercial activities and daily life.
The government’s latest commitment is aimed at addressing those concerns while advancing its broader objective of improving nationwide access to dependable electricity.
