- The LEEAP project boosted electricity access in Liberia from 2% to 35%, connecting over 39,000 customers, including schools and health centres.
- LEAP created over 1,000 direct and 3,750 indirect jobs, empowering women in technical and entrepreneurial roles.
- The project built 45 km of transmission lines and 980 km of distribution networks, far exceeding initial targets.
Roberts International Airport in Monrovia has experienced a quiet revolution. The constant noise of diesel generators no longer disrupts travellers, as a steady electricity supply from a new substation now powers the facility. Thanks to the Liberia Energy Efficiency and Access Project (LEEAP), blackouts rarely occur.
The airport has run smoothly on continuous power for months, eliminating its reliance on diesel generators. “This marks a significant outcome of the LEAP project,” said Ebrima Bah, the African Development Bank (AfDB) project manager. “The airport once spent heavily on energy from diesel generators.”
Launched in 2017, the LEAP project sought to rebuild Liberia’s electricity sector, which years of conflict had decimated. The African Development Bank, Nigeria Trust Fund, EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund, and other partners contributed $31.93 million to fund the project.
The African Development Bank’s Project Completion Report, published on February 3, 2025, outlined LEAP’s achievements. The project strengthened Liberia’s fragile transmission and distribution network, delivering power to communities that had relied on costly generators.
Electricity Access Soars to 35%
Before LEAP began, only 2% of Liberians had access to electricity. By 2024, access jumped to 35.03%. The project connected over 39,000 customers to the national grid, including 50 health centres, 65 schools, 43 public institutions, and 250 small businesses.
LEAP constructed 45 kilometres of 66-kilovolt transmission lines, 980 kilometres of distribution networks, and two substations at Schefflin and Roberts International Airport. The project far surpassed its original target of 280 kilometres of distribution lines. LEAP also trained over 100 professionals to strengthen Liberia’s energy workforce.
Economic and Social Benefits
The LEAP project generated jobs and spurred economic growth. It created 1,082 direct jobs and 3,750 indirect jobs. Women secured roles in technical and non-technical fields, while others found employment as food vendors and small-scale traders.
Schools and health centres reported significant improvements due to reliable power. The increased electricity access boosted enrollment, particularly for girls, in technical colleges. Local communities noted positive changes in education, including improved study environments and academic performance.
The health sector also benefited from more reliable electricity—better power access led to improved health outcomes, such as reduced child mortality rates. The project connected the country’s largest military hospital, a referral hospital, to the national grid.
Driving Sustainable Development
The LEAP project laid the groundwork for Liberia’s sustainable development. Delivering reliable electricity reduced the nation’s dependence on diesel, cut energy costs, and fostered social and economic growth.
Liberia is on a path to recovery, and LEAP is a model of how improved electricity access can transform lives. Liberia’s future looks brighter, with key institutions now powered by continuous electricity.