The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday 9th July 2026, ratified the Amendment to the Power Purchase Agreements relating to the 120MW Bekongor III Hydroelectric Power Project (BHEPP) Agreement for the development of Sierra Leone.
The following agreements were ratified by the Parliament of Sierra Leone:
1. Amendment Agreement to the Power Purchase Agreement relating to the 120MW Bekongor III Hydroelectric Power Project (BHEPP), in Sierra Leone, by and between the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL), the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), and OHDAV Power and Minerals (SL) Limited (formerly known as Nokorko Resources (SL) Ltd)
2. Amendment Agreement to the Implementation Agreement relating to the Bekongor I Hydroelectric Power Project (BHEPP), in Sierra Leone, by and between the Government of Sierra Leone and OHDAV Power and Minerals (SL) Limited (formerly known as Nokorko Resources (SL) Ltd) and
3. Interconnection Agreement by and between the Government of Sierra Leone, the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC), the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), and OHDAV Power and Minerals (SL) Limited (formerly known as Nokorko Resources (SL) Limited), relating to the 120MW Bekongor I Hydroelectric Power Project (BHEPP) in the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Presenting the agreements before Parliament, the Minister of Energy, Cyril Arnold Grant, described the agreements as a significant step in expanding Sierra Leone’s energy infrastructure. He added that the agreements aim to enhance and boost electricity generation in the country. He said the amendment is aimed at ensuring operational efficiency. The Minister continued that Sierra Leone is a power-deficient country, which is why the government is tirelessly working to improve the energy sector. “The amendment agreements are to provide power for our people,” he said. He added that the agreement will also include an adjustment in the electricity tariff of about 9.6 cents per kilowatt hour.
The Parliamentary Committee Chairman for Energy, Hon. Momoh Bockarie, representing Kenema District, said the agreements had been before Parliament previously and that it is good for the various amendments to be ratified by Parliament, as it paves the way for energy expansion in Sierra Leone. He emphasized the need for energy, considering the emergence of many businesses and investments in the country. “Energy is a daily necessity for all of us,” he said. Hon. Bockarie added that the country currently has about 157.17 megawatts of electricity. He said the agreements will boost job creation to about one thousand five hundred (1,500) Sierra Leoneans across the country.
Hon. Bernadette Wuyattaa Songa, representing Kailahun District, said the agreements eaffirm the effective work of Parliament. She added that Sierra Leone is in great need of energy and that the government should warmly receive investors for national development. She decried the energy infrastructure in Segbwema, Kailahun District, and pleaded for government intervention in order to provide for more people in the country.
Hon. Tamba Kellie, representing Kono District, expressed dissatisfaction over the tariff and said the proposed 9.6 per cent would be paid by EDSA, which will create more burden for customers. He called for more work to be done on the tariff in order to minimize the burden on the people. “Overall the agreement is a good one,” he concluded.
Hon. Musa Fofanah, representing Kono District, described the agreements as important for the people of Sierra Leone. He referenced the Mid-Term National Development Plan, which highly prioritizes energy as an integral sector. He highlighted challenges faced by energy supply in the country. He pleaded with the Minister to facilitate the provision of basic energy to essential institutions, such as hospitals, police stations, and other significant places in Kono District.
Hon. Rebecca Yei Kamara, representing Kono District, emphasized the various national resources Sierra Leone has as a nation. She expressed concerns and challenges faced by people living in electricity and hydro project communities. She encouraged the Ministry to ensure community residents benefit from electricity generated within their communities.
Hon. Dr. Unpha Sorie Koroma, representing Western Urban District, highlighted the significance of energy, saying it is a driver for development. He said the agreements focus on energy generation and that the government must ensure electricity generated benefits the people of Sierra Leone. He named institutions that are struggling and require more government attention for efficiency. “As an opposition, we are not against the government,” he concluded.
Rounding up the debate on the side of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, the Leader of the Opposition, questioned the absence of the parent agreement distributed to Members of Parliament as the House ratifies the current agreements. He proceeded by asking about the cost implication of the agreements to the government. Hon. Kargbo said an agreement that was ratified by Parliament in 2023 should now be at its implementation stage rather than asking for another amendment. The Leader also questioned the ‘no transfer mechanism’ of the agreement, which, according to him, has the capacity to prevent benefits to the people. He raised concerns over the inability of the Parliamentary Committee responsible to effectively monitor the agreement since its ratification in 2023.
Concluding the debate, the Majority and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma debunked claims by the opposition that the details of the agreements were not available and referred the opposition to access the documents through the digital tablets available to Members of Parliament. Hon. Nyuma clarified that the operational period of the agreements is 25 years and not 28 years. He joined other speakers to state that Parliament needs to undertake efficient and effective parliamentary oversight on the implementation of the agreements. He said the agreements are significant in the improvement of electricity generation in the country. Hon. Nyuma said the agreements explicitly define the roles and responsibilities of EGTC, EDSA, and other electricity agencies in the country. “Energy is an essential component of national development,” he said. He concluded by saying that, in order to address electricity challenges in the country, there is a need to establish a National Energy Plan.
The motion moved earlier by the Leader of Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, that a complete detail of the agreements must be presented to the House before parliamentary ratification was withdrawn by the mover.
Responding to concerns raised by Members of Parliament, the Minister acknowledged Parliament for ratifying the agreements and said he would work together with other agencies in order to address concerns raised by legislators.
In another development, Parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday 09 July 2026 approved the Bill entitled: The State-Owned Enterprises and Governance Act.
The Bill seeks to establish the State-Owned Enterprises and Governance Act, to provide a framework for effective ownership and governance of State Owned Enterprises, to provide for a prudent shareholder of State-Owned Enterprises on behalf of Government, to provide clear guidelines and standards to ensure transparency, accountability, and good governance in the operations of State Owned Enterprises, to provide for better economic management, promoting fair competition and improving public trust in the government’s ability to manage public resources and to provide for other related matters.
The document had earlier been debated and went through proper scrutiny before enactment.
