The European Union and Denmark are backing a two-day Bidders' Workshop in Freetown that marks the transition from planning to implementation for the Salone Off-Grid Renewable Energy Acceleration (SOGREA) initiative, which aims to deploy green solar mini-grids in some of Sierra Leone's most underserved rural communities. The workshop, held on 10 and 11 June 2026, brings together pre-qualified private sector companies, government ministries, regulators and development partners to prepare for the construction and operation of mini-grids.
Sierra Leone has one of the lowest electricity access rates globally, with only 36% of the population connected to the national grid and just 6% in rural areas. The SOGREA initiative, funded by the European Union (EUR 22 million in grant-based investment support) and the Government of Denmark, is implemented by UNOPS with its hosted entity Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL). The partial financial investment support aims to accelerate energy access for thousands of households and businesses, while creating attractive financial, legal and regulatory frameworks to catalyse renewable energy investments.
The workshop is structured over two days: the first day focuses on developing new green mini-grid sites in communities currently without electricity infrastructure; the second day addresses the expansion of capacity and upgrade of existing high-demand mini-grid sites operated by three private developers in Sierra Leone. Sessions equip bidders with technical and practical knowledge, as well as an understanding of the financial, legal and regulatory processes set by the Government of Sierra Leone.
Dr Abdul Rahim Jalloh, Deputy Minister of Energy II of Sierra Leone, stated that the Ministry has strengthened the regulatory framework and committed to cost-reflective tariffs for all private green mini-grid companies investing in the sector. Anita Otubu, Senior Director of the Universal Energy Facility at SEforALL, highlighted that the initiative combines results-based financing, private sector dynamism and political commitment. Natalia García Romero, Officer in Charge and Senior Project Manager at UNOPS Sierra Leone, said the workshop fosters transparency and collaboration ahead of Grant Support Agreement signatures. H.E. Ambassador Jacek Jankowski, Head of the EU Delegation in Sierra Leone, noted that the EUR 22 million reflects the EU's commitment to Sierra Leone's green transition and universal energy access under the Global Gateway Strategy. H.E. Jakob Linulf, Ambassador of Denmark to Ghana, expressed support for Sierra Leone's energy transition in line with the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA).
The initiative is expected to have a moderate positive impact on rural communities by providing reliable electricity, enabling local economic growth and improving quality of life. Private sector companies will benefit from grant-based investment support and a clearer regulatory framework, but may face operational challenges in remote areas. The Government of Sierra Leone gains a pathway to increase electricity access by 2028, while EU and Danish taxpayers fund a development project with measurable energy access outcomes. No significant negative impacts are identified beyond the inherent risks of infrastructure deployment in underserved regions.