- The initiative is funded by the European Union and the Government of Denmark, with a total of EUR 24 million in catalytic funding.
- The three-year programme is designed to reduce investment risk and enhance the commercial viability of rural electrification in Sierra Leone.
The Salone Off-Grid Renewable Energy Acceleration (SOGREA) Initiative has launched its first Call for Pre-Qualification Applications, inviting private sector companies to develop and upgrade green mini-grids in rural communities across Sierra Leone. The call marks a significant step toward accelerating universal energy access while unlocking new opportunities for renewable energy investors and developers.
Implemented in partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone, SOGREA seeks to crowd in private capital to expand access to clean, reliable electricity for underserved communities, strengthening local economies and supporting climate-resilient development. The launch was announced during a live-streamed event hosted by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) to mark the International Day of Clean Energy.
The initiative is funded by the European Union and the Government of Denmark, with a total of EUR 24 million in catalytic funding. The three-year programme is designed to reduce investment risk and enhance the commercial viability of rural electrification in Sierra Leone. It provides performance-based capital support to cover a portion of upfront development costs for green mini-grids, with payments released against independently verified milestones.
By bridging the gap between the actual cost of electricity supply and what rural households and businesses can afford, SOGREA aims to lower tariffs while expanding electricity connections. The approach builds on recent reforms in Sierra Leone’s mini-grid sector, including progressive regulation and transparent tariff-setting mechanisms that offer long-term certainty for investors.
The performance-based capital support reflects the European Union’s and Denmark’s commitment to advancing clean energy access, sustainable investment, and climate action in Africa. The initiative is implemented by UNOPS, in close partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone and its host entity, Sustainable Energy for All.
Speaking on the launch, Minister of Energy Hon. Cyril Arnold Grant expressed appreciation to the European Union and the Government of Denmark for their funding support, noting that SOGREA would play a critical role in advancing sector reforms and accelerating access to sustainable energy solutions nationwide.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and delivering lasting benefits to communities nationwide,” he said.
Dr Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF), said the initiative reinforces national efforts to accelerate energy sector reforms, expand access to reliable, affordable electricity, and attract private-sector investment. He emphasised the importance of aligning donor resources with national priorities to build a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable energy system that supports economic growth and social development.
Highlighting Denmark’s support for Sierra Leone’s energy transition under the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa, Denmark’s Ambassador to Ghana, Jakob Linulf, noted that access to green energy is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and unlocking innovation, youth empowerment, and economic transformation through affordable and reliable mini-grid solutions.
European Union Ambassador to Sierra Leone Jacek Jankowski underscored Team Europe’s commitment to the green transition through the SOGREA investment support, emphasising the importance of strong government leadership and private sector engagement in achieving successful rural electrification.
“By de-risking investments and offering tangible incentives through CAPEX support, we have created a scalable model that we believe can serve as a benchmark for the entire region,” he said.
UNOPS Regional Director for the West Africa Multi-Country Office, Silvia Gallo, noted that the initiative demonstrates the social and economic benefits that can be achieved when governments, development partners, and the private sector work together to expand electricity access and strengthen local energy markets.
On her part, Anita Otubu, Senior Director of the Universal Energy Facility at Sustainable Energy for All, said the UEF continues to demonstrate the effectiveness of results-based financing in de-risking private investment, accelerating energy access, and supporting rural economic development. She highlighted that the facility has mobilised more than US$74 million for energy access projects since 2020 and aims to deepen global partnerships as it expands its work across sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Asia.