West and Central African Ministers Sign Freetown Declaration to Advance Energy Access
Ministers of Energy and Finance from Sierra Leone, Chad, Liberia, Mauritania, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo have endorsed the Freetown Declaration, committing to scale up distributed renewable energy (DRE) in West and Central Africa. This landmark agreement, finalized at a ministerial workshop in Freetown hosted by the Government of Sierra Leone with support from the World Bank Group and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), aims to tackle energy poverty and promote job creation.
Key Highlights of the Declaration:
- Focus on Distributed Renewable Energy: The declaration highlights DRE solutions, such as mini-grids, as cost-effective and scalable methods to expand electricity access to underserved communities.
- Private Sector Engagement: Recognizing the role of private investment in accelerating energy projects, the agreement encourages collaboration with international renewable energy firms.
- Regional Collaboration: Ministers pledged to establish a platform for cross-border cooperation to pool resources and expertise.
Perspectives from Leaders:
Hon. Kandeh Yumkella, Sierra Leone’s Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, emphasized that DRE offers a “fast, flexible, and cost-effective” approach to bridging the region’s energy gap. He called for collective action from donors and development partners to maximize impact.
Robert Taliercio, World Bank Country Director, noted that regional aggregation of demand could attract leading international energy firms, reduce costs, and overcome market barriers in fragile economies.
Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO of SEforALL, encouraged governments to implement policies that incentivize private sector involvement, stressing that the declaration paves the way for transformative energy projects.
The Energy Access Challenge:
Approximately 220 million people in West and Central Africa lack electricity, accounting for 45% of the population. Ambitious initiatives like the Dakar Call to Action and Mission 300 aim to provide electricity to millions across Africa by 2030, with a significant focus on the region.
The Freetown Declaration marks a significant step toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7: universal access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.
