Sierra Leone Energy Compact Set for Full Implementation in September 2027

Sierra Leone’s $480 million Millennium Challenge Corporation Energy Compact remains in its preparatory phase, with full implementation expected to start in September 2027, according to Millennium Challenge Account Sierra Leone Chief Executive Officer Nyede Sesay.

Sesay briefed Parliament’s Committee on Energy during an oversight engagement in Committee Room One on 15 September 2026. She said the programme was still in the pre-Entry Into Force period and had not yet moved into full implementation.

“I can’t come with contractors because we’re not in the implementation phase. We’re in what we call the pre-Entry Into Force,” Sesay said.

Preparatory work continues

The compact, signed in September 2024, covers three major projects. According to Sesay, the preparation period includes feasibility studies, detailed engineering designs, recruitment, consultant procurement and completion of Conditions Precedent.

The pre-Entry Into Force phase is expected to run from February 2026 to September 2027. The subsequent implementation period is planned to last five years, from September 2027 to September 2032.

Sesay warned that delays involving studies, engineering designs, procurement or other requirements could put pressure on the five-year implementation timetable. The September 2027 start remains an expected date rather than a completed milestone.

Transmission network planned

One of the infrastructure components outlined by Sesay includes approximately 244 kilometres of 225-kilovolt transmission lines linking Newton, Bo, Kenema and Potoru.

Four new substations are planned at Newton, Moriba Town, Moyamba and Potoru. Additional substations are also planned for Makeni and Lunsar.

Sesay said the Makeni intervention is expected to help address electricity delivery constraints associated with the Bumbuna generation system.

The transmission component also includes upgrades to sections of the existing 161-kilovolt network. Fibre-optic infrastructure is planned to strengthen communication and support digitalisation within the electricity system.

Dispatch centres at Newton and Kingtom

Two electricity dispatch centres are planned under the programme. Newton is expected to host the main facility, while a backup centre is planned for Kingtom.

The dispatch system is expected to introduce merit-order dispatch and improve the management and reliability of electricity supply, according to Sesay.

The compact’s preparatory activities are intended to position the projects for implementation once the required conditions have been met. However, the source information does not confirm whether all Conditions Precedent will be fulfilled by September 2027.