Electricity Theft Draining Sierra Leone's Power Sector, Energy Expert Sounds Alarm

Electricity theft is costing Sierra Leone's power sector millions in lost revenue and threatening efforts to deliver reliable electricity nationwide, according to leading energy expert Rev. Eng. Dr. Paul Charles Saffa.

Speaking during an interview on Slik TV's Epic Radio, Dr. Saffa described electricity theft as one of the country's most pressing energy challenges, warning that illegal connections and power theft continue to weaken the financial sustainability of the electricity sector.

He explained that the widespread practice deprives electricity providers of much-needed revenue required to maintain infrastructure, improve service delivery, and expand access to electricity. As a result, the sector faces increased financial strain, making it more difficult to provide stable and reliable power to consumers.

Dr. Saffa stressed that addressing electricity theft is essential to strengthening Sierra Leone's energy sector and ensuring that investments in power generation and distribution translate into improved electricity supply for households and businesses.

He called for stronger enforcement against electricity theft, increased public awareness, and greater collaboration between government institutions, utility companies, and consumers to combat the problem.

As Sierra Leone continues to invest in expanding its electricity network, stakeholders believe curbing electricity theft will be a crucial step toward building a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable power sector.

 Parliament Cracks Down on Port Delays as Costly Container Demurrage Comes Under Investigation

Freetown, Sierra Leone – Parliament has launched a high-level oversight mission into Sierra Leone's maritime sector amid growing concerns over costly container demurrage, port inefficiencies, and delays affecting businesses and consumers across the country.

The Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Aviation has commenced an inspection tour of key maritime institutions, beginning with the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) and the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA). The exercise forms part of Parliament's constitutional mandate to ensure public institutions remain accountable and deliver efficient services.

The delegation, led by the Chief Whip of Parliament and Committee Chairman, Hon. Dickson Momoh Rogers, held separate engagements with the management of both institutions to assess operational performance, revenue collection, maritime safety compliance, and the implementation of government policies aimed at improving port efficiency.

Addressing officials, Hon. Rogers underscored the importance of transparency and accountability, noting that Sierra Leone's ports are central to the country's trade, economic growth, and government revenue.

The SLMA updated lawmakers on reforms to strengthen vessel registration, maritime safety audits, and compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards. Meanwhile, the SLPHA highlighted progress in cargo handling, terminal operations, and measures to reduce vessel turnaround times at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay.

A major highlight of the oversight tour was a site inspection of Bolloré Transport & Logistics, the operator of the Queen Elizabeth II Quay container terminal. Committee members toured container yards, storage facilities, and customs clearance points to investigate the increasing number of containers incurring expensive demurrage charges.

The Committee questioned terminal operators and port officials over documentation delays, inadequate storage capacity, and coordination challenges between agencies—issues widely blamed for slowing cargo clearance and increasing costs for importers.

Hon. Rogers warned that Parliament is prepared to act decisively if the investigation identifies policy or management failures.

"We came to see for ourselves why containers are overstaying and attracting huge charges. If the bottleneck is policy, we will legislate. If it is management, then action must be taken," he said.

The oversight exercise will continue across other transport and aviation institutions, with the Committee expected to submit a comprehensive report and recommendations to Parliament.

Hon. Rogers concluded that the objective is to improve the efficiency of Sierra Leone's ports, stressing that faster cargo clearance and better port management would reduce the cost of goods, create employment opportunities, and boost government revenue.

Source: Parliament of Sierra Leone 

 Fresh Momentum for Sierra Leone's Electoral Reforms as Government, APC and Peace Stakeholders Reach New Implementation Agreement

Freetown, Sierra Leone – Sierra Leone has taken another significant step toward strengthening its democracy, as the government, opposition representatives, and key peace institutions reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the country's electoral reform agenda.

Mr. Alpha Sesay, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, on Tuesday hosted the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), the National Moral Guarantors of the Agreement for National Unity, and representatives of the All People's Congress (APC) to review progress on the electoral reforms recommended by the Tripartite Committee.

The high-level meeting assessed reforms that have already been implemented, received updates on those still in progress, and endorsed a clear roadmap to guide the completion of the remaining recommendations.

Participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening democratic governance by advancing meaningful electoral and institutional reforms through dialogue, consensus, and cooperation.

The engagement also underscored the importance of the Agreement for National Unity as a framework for fostering political stability, strengthening democratic institutions, and promoting confidence in Sierra Leone's electoral process.

The latest review signals continued collaboration among the government, opposition, and national peace stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the Tripartite Committee's recommendations in the national interest.

 Power Outages No Longer a Threat to Critical Lab Testing as UNDP Installs Solar Systems in Five Regional Laboratories

Freetown, Sierra Leone – Frequent electricity outages have long disrupted medical laboratory services in Sierra Leone, delaying critical test results and putting vital samples at risk. That challenge is now being addressed through a major investment in reliable renewable energy.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sierra Leone has handed over solar inverter systems to five regional laboratories under the Ministry of Health, ensuring uninterrupted power for essential diagnostic services.

The beneficiary laboratories are located in Western Area Rural, Port Loko, Bombali, Bo, and Kenema, where the new systems will help maintain continuous operations even during national power interruptions.

The initiative is expected to significantly improve the speed and reliability of laboratory testing, protect temperature-sensitive medical samples, and strengthen the country's capacity to respond swiftly to disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.

By providing a stable source of electricity, the solar inverter systems will reduce downtime that previously forced laboratory technicians to restart tests, saving valuable time and improving patient care.

UNDP acknowledged the support of The Global Fund, the Ministry of Health, and other development partners whose collaboration made the project possible. The initiative reflects the partners' shared commitment to strengthening Sierra Leone's healthcare system through sustainable energy solutions and improved diagnostic capacity.

Source: UNDP-SL

 West Africa Turns to Sierra Leone: President Bio to Host Historic 69th ECOWAS Summit

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone – Sierra Leone is preparing to welcome West African leaders as President Julius Maada Bio hosts the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, marking one of the country's most significant diplomatic engagements in recent years.

According to a statement released by the Office of the Press Secretary on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, the summit will take place on 19 July 2026 at the newly built Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi, with President Bio presiding in his capacity as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

The summit will crown a week of high-level ECOWAS statutory meetings in Freetown, bringing together ministers, senior officials, diplomats and delegates from across the region to discuss key issues affecting West Africa.

The schedule includes the 39th Meeting of the Administration and Finance Committee from 12–14 July, followed by the 56th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council at Ministerial Level and a Joint Mediation and Security Council/Council Meeting on the Compact of the Future on 15 July. The 96th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers will conclude the preparatory meetings on 16–17 July, all at Bintumani New Hall.

Ahead of the summit, President Bio will officially commission the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre and the ECOWAS Logistics Depot on 18 July. The government says the state-of-the-art conference facility will enhance Sierra Leone's capacity to host major international events, while the logistics depot will strengthen ECOWAS' operational and institutional capabilities.

The upcoming summit is expected to provide a platform for regional leaders to deliberate on peace and security, economic integration, governance and other pressing issues facing the ECOWAS community.

Hosting the summit further highlights Sierra Leone's growing diplomatic influence within West Africa and underscores President Bio's leadership role in advancing regional cooperation, stability and sustainable development.

As preparations gather pace, Sierra Leone is set to become the focal point of regional diplomacy, welcoming heads of state and government for a summit expected to shape the future direction of ECOWAS.

Source: State House-SL

APC Releases Candidate List and Eligible Voters Register Ahead of Crucial Constituency Elections

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone – As the highly anticipated constituency elections draw near, the All People's Congress (APC) has formally released its candidate roster and the Register of Eligible Voters, signifying a crucial phase in the party's internal electoral procedures.

Through a public announcement issued on July 6, 2026, the APC National Secretariat declared that these publications underscore the party's dedication to transparency, adherence to due process, and constitutional compliance in anticipation of the elections slated for Saturday, July 11, 2026.

The party has indicated that the online candidate list exclusively features individuals who submitted their nomination applications electronically via the APC's online platform.

Furthermore, the Secretariat clarified that aspirants who submitted manual nomination forms, which have since been processed and endorsed by the National Secretary-General in accordance with directives from the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC), are required to present their signed application forms to Presiding Officers at their designated polling centers for verification and validation prior to the commencement of voting on election day.

Additionally, the APC has reissued the Register of Eligible Voters, encouraging all party members to meticulously review the register and promptly report any legitimate concerns, omissions, or inconsistencies before the polling day.

This announcement is an integral part of the preparations for what is expected to be a significant series of internal elections, as the opposition party continues its efforts to reinforce its organizational frameworks and leadership throughout constituencies nationwide.

The APC has urged all members, prospective candidates, and party officials to adhere to the established guidelines to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process on July 11, 2026.

China Commits to Train Sierra Leone Labour Inspectors as Both Nations Deepen Employment Partnership 

FREETOWN, July 6, 2026 — Sierra Leone's labour sector is set to receive a major boost after China pledged to strengthen cooperation with the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security through staff training, improved labour law compliance, and enhanced support for Chinese businesses operating in the country.

The commitment was announced during a courtesy meeting between Chinese Embassy Counsellor Peng Wang and the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Mohamed Rahman Swarray, where both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting decent work, sustainable investment, and stronger bilateral relations.

A key outcome of the meeting was China's approval of a bilateral training programme scheduled for next year, which will build the capacity of Ministry personnel, particularly newly recruited labour inspectors and enforcement officers. The initiative is expected to strengthen labour inspection and improve enforcement of Sierra Leone's labour laws.

Counsellor Wang also proposed regular engagements between the Ministry and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce to help Chinese enterprises better understand and comply with Sierra Leone's labour regulations. He reaffirmed China's commitment to supporting a stable and predictable investment environment that enables Chinese businesses to continue contributing to Sierra Leone's economic growth.

The Chinese Embassy further raised concerns over delays in processing Unified Work Permits and technical inconsistencies affecting the online work permit system, requesting the Ministry's intervention to improve efficiency.

Minister Swarray welcomed the continued partnership, describing China as one of Sierra Leone's most reliable development partners. He stressed that the Ministry's labour inspections are designed to encourage compliance through dialogue rather than target any specific nationality or business community.

"Chinese companies remain among the largest employers in Sierra Leone and have made significant contributions to the country's infrastructure development. Our goal is to ensure compliance while maintaining a productive partnership," Minister Swarray said.

The Minister also appealed for expanded training opportunities for Ministry staff, additional support for the Labour Migration Unit, and assistance in rehabilitating the Ministry's Trade Testing Centre.

Responding to concerns over work permit processing, Minister Swarray assured the Chinese Embassy that the Ministry would work with affected companies to fast-track pending applications while collaborating with system developers to resolve technical issues affecting the online platform.

The meeting ended with both Sierra Leone and China reaffirming their commitment to maintaining regular dialogue and expanding cooperation to promote labour compliance, attract investment, create jobs, and support sustainable economic development in both countries.

Source: Ministry of Employment Labour and Social Security