Freetown, November 12, 2026 — Minister of Energy Hon. Cyril Arnold Grant has urged Sierra Leoneans to take greater personal and collective responsibility in the fight against electricity theft and illegal connections, warning that these practices are crippling the national power system and pushing the sector’s accumulated debt beyond US$200 million.
Speaking at the Government of Sierra Leone’s Weekly Press Conference on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, at the Miatta Civic Centre in Freetown, the Minister stressed that reliable electricity is a shared national asset that requires the active participation of citizens, communities, service providers and state institutions.
“Improving electricity service delivery is not the responsibility of government alone,” Grant said.
He explained that unauthorised connections, meter tampering and non-payment create serious operational and financial challenges for the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) and other providers. These practices, he noted, reduce the reliability of supply and place an unfair burden on honest consumers who pay their bills.
The Minister linked the problem directly to the sector’s worsening finances. He disclosed that electricity-related debts have now exceeded US$200 million, a figure that includes arrears from government institutions, businesses and households. This debt, compounded by widespread commercial losses from theft, has weakened the ability of utilities to maintain infrastructure, purchase power and expand services.
Grant emphasised that electricity remains essential for national development, powering businesses, schools, hospitals, public institutions and household livelihoods.
He called for stronger coordination among government agencies, security forces, electricity providers and local communities, noting that timely information-sharing and effective enforcement are critical to protecting infrastructure and improving service delivery.
The appeal comes amid ongoing efforts to tackle the problem. A National Revenue Protection Taskforce involving EDSA, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Sierra Leone Police and the Office of National Security was deployed in October 2026 to target meter bypassing, illegal connections, unauthorised reconnections and unpaid bills.
Grant also revealed that a separate task force under the Office of the Vice President is conducting comprehensive assessments of consumption patterns, meter inspections and investigations into theft.
Sierra Leone continues to face significant electricity challenges. National access stands at around 36 per cent, with frequent outages still common, particularly in the Western Area. Generation remains constrained by seasonal variations at the Bumbuna hydro plant and dependence on costly thermal power, including from Karpowership. Authorities have pointed to upcoming projects — including the NANT energy facility expected to deliver initial capacity in early 2027 and additional solar installations — as part of longer-term solutions.
The Ministry of Energy has appealed to all Sierra Leoneans to use electricity responsibly, obtain connections only through official channels, pay bills promptly through authorised means, avoid meter tampering or illegal hook-ups, and report suspected theft or damage to infrastructure. Citizens are also encouraged to support public awareness campaigns and cooperate with EDSA, community leaders and security agencies.
Grant’s message was unambiguous: protecting the electricity system is a collective duty. Only through shared responsibility, disciplined consumption and stronger enforcement can Sierra Leone build a more reliable, efficient and sustainable energy sector capable of supporting economic growth and improving the quality of life for present and future generations.
