Freetown, 10 July 2025 — In a significant step toward improving access to electricity in underserved areas, the Parliament of Sierra Leone has ratified a Project Preparation Facility (PPF) under the Sierra Leone Rural Electricity Access Project (SLREAP), the Ministry of Energy announced today.
Funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the PPF is focused on developing the Bo–Mile 91 interconnection, with the potential to bring electricity to over 60 rural communities and impact the lives of approximately 50,000 people.
The initiative aims to lay the groundwork for SLREAP through detailed feasibility studies, technical designs, and environmental and social impact assessments. According to the Ministry, the ratification marks a crucial step toward Sierra Leone’s long-term energy transformation agenda.
When fully implemented, SLREAP will include the construction of:
* 8 new 66/33kV substations
* 2 new 33/11kV substations
* 150 33/0.4kV distribution substations
* 350 km of 66kV transmission lines
* 400 km of 33kV distribution lines
* 50,000 customer connections
* Street lighting and other public infrastructure
The total investment for the SLREAP is estimated at USD 100 million. The Government of Sierra Leone is contributing NLe 6,080,960 (approximately USD 262,000) toward the project.
The Ministry of Energy emphasized that the project aligns with Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan and the African Development Bank’s broader strategies on energy, gender, and climate change spanning 2020 to 2031.
“This is a bold and strategic investment in Sierra Leone’s energy future,” the Ministry said in its statement, reaffirming its commitment to creating a conducive environment for energy sector investments.
