AYV News, September 5, 2025
In a bid to promote transparency and foster public engagement in the energy sector, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Chairman and Energy Sector Lead, hosted an engaging and informative dialogue with a group of prominent online bloggers in Freetown. The session aimed to deepen public understanding of developments in the energy sector and to mobilise digital influencers in support of energy education and reform.
Recognising the growing impact of online media, Dr. Yumkella thanked the bloggers for their presence and acknowledged their role in sharing crucial information with the public. “I commend you for the important work you do,” he said. Noting that, “In today’s digital age, bloggers play a vital role in informing the public quickly and effectively. We need your help in spreading the facts and encouraging constructive national conversations.”
During the dialogue, Dr. Yumkella provided a comprehensive update on Sierra Leone’s energy landscape, outlining key generation and transmission projects, governance strategies, and ongoing reforms. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding energy access under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio.
“The President’s vision is to double the country’s energy capacity by 2028,” Dr. Yumkella noted. “We are working tirelessly to achieve this through a series of strategic energy generation initiatives.”
He also highlighted the critical need to improve energy transmission, emphasising that generation alone is not enough. “You can generate all the power you want, but without the infrastructure to transmit it efficiently, that effort is wasted,” he explained. “That’s why we’re investing in the construction of both Northern and Southern Corridor transmission lines, along with new substations to connect communities nationwide.”
Calling on bloggers to serve as advocates for responsible energy use, Dr. Yumkella urged them to raise awareness about the importance of paying for electricity and eliminating illegal connections. “EDSA cannot survive if people don’t pay for what they consume,” he stressed. “We need public cooperation to sustain and improve energy services,” he noted.
The bloggers welcomed Dr. Yumkella’s openness and proactive approach, noting that such direct engagement is rare among government officials.
They asked questions, shared feedback, and offered suggestions, all of which Dr. Yumkella addressed candidly. He encouraged them to report objectively and constructively, pledging continued transparency and accountability.
“Hold us to our commitments,” he concluded. “But also help us tell the story of progress when it’s being made”.
