MCC and Energy Ministry Review Progress on $480 Million Compact

Senior Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) leadership met with Sierra Leone’s energy minister today to assess progress on the $480 million Compact and discuss ongoing energy sector reforms. Acting Vice President for Compact Operations Africa, Alicia Robinson-Morgan, led the MCC delegation to a consultation with Minister of Energy, Cyril Arnold Grant.
Ms Robinson-Morgan was joined by Ndeye Sesay, Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), MCC Country Director Steven Grudda, and Hannah Hoover, Deputy Country Director. Al-Hassan Kondeh, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, participated in discussions aimed at improving institutional capacity and service delivery in the sector as Sierra Leone implements Compact-funded reforms.
Minister Grant welcomed the visit, describing it as a clear reaffirmation of the MCC’s belief in Sierra Leone’s reform efforts. He emphasised the significance of the collaboration and the technical support MCC provides during a difficult transition. “We are encouraged by MCC’s ongoing engagement and technical support. This visit demonstrates our partners’ recognition of the difficult but necessary work being done as we advance these reforms,” he said.
Minister Grant acknowledged the ongoing challenges in the energy sector and reiterated the government’s commitment to reform. “Change is difficult but necessary. We are determined to build a sector that works for the people of Sierra Leone by reducing losses, strengthening governance, and creating opportunities for private sector participation,” he said, emphasising the administration’s emphasis on reducing inefficiencies and attracting investment.
The meeting focused on the Ministry’s collaboration with the World Bank on major transformation initiatives. The Minister highlighted progress in obtaining a private sector concessionaire for the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) and establishing a Sector Collection Account, both of which aim to improve financial transparency and make the sector more appealing to private investors.
Ms Robinson-Morgan emphasised MCC’s emphasis on institutional capacity development as a key to sustaining reform. “One of our top priorities is to strengthen EDSA’s technical and managerial capacity so that it can operate effectively under the new structure. We are also assisting the Ministry’s planning unit in ensuring that policy decisions are informed by data and a clear investment pipeline,” she said, noting that MCC’s work in Ghana and Senegal demonstrates how targeted capacity building can help maintain reforms and mobilise private capital.
Permanent Secretary Kondeh welcomed MCC’s emphasis on institutional strengthening, calling it timely and critical to improving sector bankability and meeting reform commitments. The meeting ended with a shared commitment from MCC, the Ministry, and development partners to maintain momentum, better align donor support, and ensure capacity building keeps up with structural changes. Participants emphasised that energy reforms are inextricably linked to the larger Feed Salone Agenda and are expected to propel economic growth.