By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The United States Government has formally approved a $480 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact for Sierra Leone, signaling a major milestone in the country’s efforts to modernize its energy sector and strengthen bilateral ties with the U.S.

The announcement, confirmed through a post on X by the U.S. Embassy in Freetown, follows an extensive administration review of U.S. foreign assistance programs. The Compact, signed in September 2024, aims to address one of Sierra Leone’s most pressing challenges; access to affordable and reliable electricity.

The Compact, signed in September 2024, aims to tackle one of Sierra Leone’s most pressing development challenges; access to affordable and reliable electricity. The investment will support critical improvements to electricity distribution, expand the national power grid and strengthen key energy institutions. The Government of Sierra Leone is contributing an additional $14.2 million to the program.

Sierra Leone is one of only 15 countries worldwide and two in Africa selected to move forward with an MCC Compact from an original pool of 25. This selection reflects strong confidence in the country’s governance, reform agenda and capacity to deliver results.

“The approval of this Compact is a vote of confidence in our Government’s commitment to transforming the energy sector,” said President Julius Maada Bio. “It is a landmark achievement that opens new doors for investment, job creation and long-term economic growth.”

In a statement posted on X, President Bio expressed gratitude to the U.S. Government and the MCC for their continued partnership. He also thanked U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Bryan D. Hunt, for his efforts in strengthening bilateral relations.

According to the MCC, only about 30 percent of Sierra Leone’s population currently has access to electricity, with rural access below five percent. Power outages and unstable voltage remain common, forcing businesses and households to rely on costly diesel generators despite being connected to the national grid.

The MCC Compact will address those challenges through three main projects:

- Distribution and Access Project: Focused on expanding electricity access and improving service delivery.


- Transmission Backbone Project: Aims to reinforce and expand the national grid.


- Power Sector Reform Project: Designed to build institutional capacity and attract private sector participation.

In a related development, Sierra Leone’s new Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Amara Sheikh Mohammed Sowa, presented his credentials to President Donald J. Trump in Washington, D.C. on July 24, 2025. During the ceremony, Ambassador Amara  Sowa delivered a message of goodwill from President Bio and emphasized the strong historical ties between the two nations.

Highlighting President Bio’s Big Five Game Changers initiative, Ambassador Amara Sowa underscored the administration’s focus on development, anti-corruption and creating a business-friendly environment. He also acknowledged U.S. contributions to Sierra Leone’s progress in education, healthcare and peacebuilding.

“The longstanding partnership between Sierra Leone and the United States continues to grow stronger,” said Ambassador Amara Sowa. “This Compact represents more than financial assistance; it is a partnership for progress.”

The Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington, D.C. issued a statement praising the MCC Compact as a transformative step toward economic modernization and international collaboration.

With the Compact’s implementation set to begin, Sierra Leone is poised to make significant strides in energy access, private sector development and improved living standards. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/u-s-embassy-reveals-resumption-of-mcc-compact-unlocks-480-million-for-sierra-leone/