The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. state development fund, has extended a $ 480 million five-year grant to Sierra Leone to provide reliable and affordable electricity to 4.6 million people.
Currently, only about 30% of the West African country’s population has access to electricity, with the rate dropping to less than 5% in rural areas.
The deal includes three projects aimed at improving the coverage and reliability of the power network and boosting the sector’s sustainability.
The grant comes amid an ongoing electricity crisis in Sierra Leone. In April, the country’s energy minister resigned over weeks of power outages caused by tens of millions of dollars in unpaid debt to energy providers.
The MCC hopes that its investment will help to address the electricity crisis and improve the lives of millions of Sierra Leoneans.
Access to electricity is essential for economic growth, education, and health care.
The MCC’s grant will help to create jobs, improve access to education and health care, and reduce poverty.