V.P. Juldeh Jalloh: Energy access is critical for Sierra Leone’s development

Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Sierra Leone’s Vice President, has emphasised the critical role of reliable and affordable energy in achieving the country’s medium-term development goals, describing universal energy access as the “cornerstone of our medium-term national development plan.”
He spoke at the conclusion of the Third Climate Resilience and Energy Transition Dialogue, which took place at the Bintumani International Conference Centre.
Dr. Juldeh Jalloh announced that Sierra Leone now has “a credible, data-driven, and endorsed energy plan” designed to accelerate rural electrification, improve utility performance, increase the share of renewable energy in the national generation mix, and attract private-sector investment. He highlighted significant progress in expanding access thus far, pointing out that electricity access has more than doubled—from 16% in 2018 to 36% in 2025—bringing the country closer to its Mission 300 goal.
The Vice President linked the energy transition to broader national priorities, citing ongoing investments in education, health, and agriculture as complementary pillars of development that rely on dependable power. “We revolutionised Free Quality Education and made significant investments in healthcare,” he said, adding that these advancements now necessitate more job opportunities and infrastructure powered by sustainable energy systems.
Dr Juldeh Jalloh also advocated for a shift away from “over-centralised, state-centric” energy models and toward approaches that encourage private-sector participation, backed by strong governance, transparency, and the rule of law. He argued that such a shift would help to unlock investment and improve service delivery across the country.
The Vice President praised Dr Kandeh Yumkella and the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security for their leadership, and pledged that “all recommendations from this year’s dialogue will be presented to His Excellency the President and implemented
the letter.” The commitment represents a continued push to align climate resilience and energy transition efforts with Sierra Leone’s overall development strategy.