AYV News, December 16, 2025
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Energy, Cyril Arnold Grant, has told AYV that the country is currently owing close to 100 million United States dollars in debt for electricity.
He said the debt Sierra Leone is owing just the Karpowership is close to 50 million U.S. dollars, adding that it is not only the Karpowership that the country is owing, but that it is also owing money close to 20 million U.S. dollars to another foreign power supplier, some money to solar companies suppliers and also owns some money to the Republic of Guinea for electricity.
Speaking on the country’s ability to provide 24 hours of electricity to the people of Sierra Leone, Minister Grant was too honest to respond, saying, “We can provide 24 hours of electricity, but we are not going to be able to provide 24 hours of electricity to eight million people in Sierra Leone now.
He said that until Sierra Leone finds 3 billion barrels of oil before it will not be able to provide 24-hour electricity to itseight million people, but that for now, it is impossible.
The minister said Sierra Leone is in the course of entering into solutions in addressing its energy crises, but there is room for more improvements, adding that government alone cannot do it, “we need the private sector to come and invest because energy is development”, he said, adding, “Bumbuna as it stands currently is on its last legs. There are more projects in place to increase the ability of all Sierra Leoneans to get access to an uninterrupted electricity supply, but it needs more time to be achieved.”
Concluding, Minister Cyril Arnold Grant assured that his leadership has prioritised addressing several issues in the sector,but that top amongst all is tackling the current governance issues at the EDSA, increasing revenue and addressing the current losses in the energy sector.
Minister Grant was appointed on 6th November, 2025, and his appointment comes at a critical time as Sierra Leone continues to focus on expanding and modernising its energy sector, a key driver for national development.
