The electricity crisis in Sierra Leone has reached an alarming level under the current administration*with power outages affecting nearly every part of the country.

The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government, which came to power in 2018 has failed to provide any substantial solutions to the chronic blackouts that continue to plague the nation.

The situation has only worsened, leaving millions of Sierra Leoneans without reliable access to electricity. This has severely impacted businesses, schools, hospitals, and daily life, while neighboring countries in West Africa, such as Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia, have made significant strides in improving their energy sectors.

Sierra Leone’s electricity infrastructure remains inadequate and inefficient, despite the country’s potential for growth.

According to recent reports, only around 15% of the population has access to electricity with rural areas being the most affected. The capital city, Freetown, experiences frequent power outages, often leaving residents in darkness for hours or even days at a time. The government’s inability to address the power shortages has led to widespread frustration among the population. Many citizens are forced to rely on expensive and riskier alternatives, such  as using diesel generators to light up their businesses to be able to meet basic energy needs.

The SLPP government’s failure to improve the electricity situation is evident to the extent that power outages have become a daily occurrence in most parts of the country. Just recently, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) unveiled a schedule outlining when will different areas receive electricity in a week or day.

They said many households would only have access to power for about 10 to 12 hours every three days.

This level of power supply is not only unacceptable but also highlights the government’s mismanagement of the energy sector.

When compared to neighboring countries, Sierra Leone’s energy sector performance is far below expectations. Guinea, for example, has made notable progress in its energy development, despite its own challenges. Guinea has an installed electricity capacity of around 600 MW, much of which comes from the Kaléta Hydroelectric Dam, which was completed in 2015. While Guinea’s electricity access is still far from universal, the country has made significant strides toward ensuring a more stable and reliable supply of electricity. In rural areas, solar power projects and small-scale hydroelectric plants have also contributed to improving energy access.

Côte d’Ivoire, one of the leading economies in the region, has developed a robust energy infrastructure, with an installed electricity capacity of approximately 2,200 MW. This makes it one of the largest electricity producers in West Africa. Côte d’Ivoire has invested heavily in its energy sector, particularly in natural gas and hydroelectric power, ensuring a reliable electricity supply not only for its citizens but also for neighboring countries. Today, Côte d’Ivoire has a relatively high electricity access rate, with more than 80% of the population enjoying regular power supply, far exceeding the situation in Sierra Leone.

Even Liberia, a country with a smaller population and fewer resources, has been able to make incremental progress in improving its electricity supply. The Liberian government has partnered with international donors to expand the electricity grid, increase access to renewable energy sources, and ensure a more consistent power supply. Although Liberia still faces challenges, especially in rural areas, its efforts to improve energy access demonstrate the potential for progress that Sierra Leone has failed to achieve.

The difference between Sierra Leone and its neighbors highlights the failure of the SLPP government to address the energy crisis. While countries like Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia have made significant investments in their energy sectors, Sierra Leone has continued to suffer from inadequate infrastructure, poor management, and a lack of investment.

The SLPP government has repeatedly promised to tackle the electricity crisis, but its actions have fallen short. The government has failed to implement a clear strategy for improving power generation, distribution, and affordability, and the people continue to bear the brunt of these failures.

In the face of these challenges, it is difficult to understand why Sierra Leone continues to lag behind its neighbors, especially considering the country’s wealth in natural resources such as diamonds, gold, and iron ore. These resources have the potential to fuel a thriving economy and provide the necessary funds for infrastructure development, yet the government has failed to harness this potential effectively. Instead, corruption, mismanagement, and a lack of accountability have plagued the energy sector, resulting in an energy crisis that affects every aspect of daily life in Sierra Leone.

The continued blackouts and unreliable electricity supply are a testament to the incompetence of the current government. The SLPP has been in power for several years, yet the situation has only worsened. The failure to address basic needs such as electricity not only reflects poorly on the government’s ability to govern but also highlights a broader issue of mismanagement and corruption within the administration. Sierra Leoneans deserve better, and it is time for the government to take immediate and meaningful action to solve the electricity crisis.

The SLPP government’s handling of the electricity crisis has been nothing short of disastrous, according to the views of many Sierra Leoneans. Despite the country’s potential, Sierra Leone remains mired in darkness, while neighboring countries like Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia continue to make progress in their energy sectors. The people of Sierra Leone deserve access to reliable, affordable electricity, and it is high time that the government take responsibility for its failure to provide this basic service. Until the government addresses the underlying issues of corruption, mismanagement, and infrastructure failure, the electricity crisis will continue to hinder the country’s development and progress.