The USAID Country Coordinator Khadijat Mojidi said that this support is part of the USA’s new Global Development Alliance to promote sustainable energy through the USAID’s Cross Boundary Solar Project.

The agreement, she said will establish an alliance between USAID, Cross Boundary Energy Holdings (LLC – based in Washington, DC) aimed at increasing electricity access in underserved areas; increase economic activity by strengthening trade, investment and infrastructure; and increasing the capacity of the government of Sierra Leone to manage and maintain a system to distribute off-grid renewable energy.

“The partnership will achieve these goals while increasing total energy generation capacity, increasing the penetration of clean energy technologies in Sierra Leone,” she added.  The project will be launched in September 2018, the USAID Country Coordinator said.

Minister Alie Kabba expressed his thanks and appreciation to the USAID and partners for creating such an alliance that will not only enhance access to improve resilience of business in Sierra Leone through cleaner and cheaper power, but will also make energy more affordable.

He said that the availability of energy will help to foster a more robust environment for trade and investment, agriculture, education as well as attract additional multinational or regional companies and local enterprises to the energy ecosystem. “This will clearly demonstrate that Sierra Leone is a viable investment destination,” he added.