U.S. Approves $480 Million MCC Compact Grant for Sierra Leone
The United States, under the administration of President Donald Trump, has approved a $480 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact Grant for Sierra Leone. The funding, aimed at addressing the country’s chronic energy crisis, marks a significant step in U.S.-Sierra Leone bilateral relations. The decision follows a thorough review of U.S. foreign assistance programs and reaffirms Sierra Leone’s status as a dependable partner in promoting mutual economic and trade interests.
The Compact, officially signed in September 2024, will focus on modernizing Sierra Leone’s energy infrastructure. Key initiatives include expanding the national electricity grid, improving power distribution, and enhancing the governance of the energy sector. In support of the program, the Government of Sierra Leone has pledged an additional $14.2 million.
Sierra Leone is one of only 12 countries globally—and five in Africa—selected from a pool of 25 candidates to move forward with a Compact agreement. This selection highlights international confidence in Sierra Leone’s capacity to deliver impactful development results and implement structural reforms.
Access to reliable and affordable electricity has long been a barrier to private investment in Sierra Leone. By addressing this constraint, the MCC Compact is expected to unlock opportunities for U.S. and international businesses, stimulate job creation, and strengthen long-term trade and commercial ties.
The approval of the Compact reflects an era of deepening U.S.-Sierra Leone engagement and serves as a foundation for enhanced economic cooperation. It also underscores global acknowledgment of the country’s ongoing economic reforms and efforts to create a more competitive, transparent, and investor-friendly environment.
President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership has been widely credited for this achievement. His administration’s focus on sound economic management, strategic infrastructure development, and proactive international partnerships has been instrumental in securing the Compact.
With this milestone, the Government of Sierra Leone now looks ahead to the implementation phase, eager to strengthen commercial and investment relations with the United States and further position itself as a credible partner in global development
