By: Amida Adiatu Bangura

My name is Amida Adiatu Bangura, from Sierra Leone, and I am a former STEM Trainee in the Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Traineeship Programme. I hold a BSc Hons in Civil Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. My career in the Science, Technology, Mathematics & Engineering (STEM) field is driven by my passion for innovation and a commitment to addressing today’s energy challenges. On this International Women’s Day, I celebrate the power and potential of women to transform the energy sector.

Transforming Lives through Sustainable Energy

Through the Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) STEM Traineeship Programme, I have the unique opportunity to combine my engineering background with practical experience in sustainable energy solutions. Motived by a desire to enhance my technical skills, gain real-world experience, and contribute to universal access to sustainable energy, I was particularly drawn to the program’s focus on empowering women in STEM.

I was deeply inspired by the program’s goal to electrify healthcare facilities. In Sierra Leone, the unreliable grid system often leads to power outages, which can have dire consequences for hospitals, including preventable deaths. The opportunity to help implement sustainable energy solutions that ensure reliable power for critical healthcare services was a major motivator for my participation.

The SEforALL STEM Traineeship Programme was a life-changing opportunity. It deepened my understanding of sustainable energy systems, enhanced my project management abilities, and improved my capacity to collaborate with professionals from diverse fields. I expanded my knowledge in distributed energy resources (DERs) like rooftop solar panels—which reduce reliance on the national grid and enhance energy security—as well as advancements in energy-efficient technologies. The hands-on workshops and training sessions have given me a wide variety of options to advance my career within the sustainable energy and climate sectors.

Enhancing Expertise for Empowerment

Our work as Trainees involved installing solar panels by ensuring they were free from shading and optimally oriented to capture sunlight. We conducted structural assessments to confirm roof integrity, mounted poles at calculated distances and depths for cable management, and installed inverters and batteries in secure, ventilated areas. The systems we worked on were configured to prioritize solar power, switch to battery storage during low sunlight, and use the grid only when necessary. Additionally, we integrated the solar system with existing setups using automatic transfer switches for a seamless transition between power sources.

Beyond technical skills, the program strengthened my leadership skills and self-confidence. The collaborative environment taught me the importance of resilience and adaptability in a rapidly evolving field. Engaging with peers and experts has not only inspired me to voice my ideas but also provided a strong sense of community and direction.

Memorable Experiences: Lighting Up Healthcare

One of my most memorable experiences was traveling to Kailahun for a solar panel installation at the Kailahun Government Hospital. This was my first visit to Kailahun Town in Sierra Leone’s Eastern Province. Our work aimed to provide reliable electricity to a hospital isolated from the national grid. Witnessing the hospital staff and patients’ hopeful reactions after the initial phase of work was profoundly rewarding and reaffirmed my commitment to transforming lives through sustainable energy.

Another memorable experience occurred in February 2025 when I attended the Energizing Healthcare Conference, which was both motivating and enlightening. Experts, decision-makers, and practitioners gathered to discuss scalable solutions for ensuring sustainable energy access in healthcare facilities across Africa. Key discussions included the estimated $5 billion required to close the energy gap in healthcare, common challenges faced by African nations, and innovative financing strategies.

During my remarks at the conference, I highlighted my work as a STEM Trainee on the Healthcare Electrification Project in Sierra Leone. I discussed the technical aspects—network distribution, battery storage, and PV module installations—as well as the impactful outcomes that improved patient care. I also shared a personal story that drives my passion for this mission: the loss of a loved one due to a power outage at a government hospital.  This painful experience underscored the reality that most families face daily and the dire consequences of energy poverty in healthcare.

Women in STEM: The Future of Sustainable Energy

 My experience in the STEM Traineeship has empowered me to promote women’s participation in the STEM field. I am committed to advocating for and empower young girls and women to pursue careers in STEM, striving to achieve gender balance in the field.

To young people and women aspiring to enter the sustainable energy industry: never give up on your passion and have faith in your abilities. Sustainable energy is a field with opportunities for impact and innovation. Seek practical experience and networking opportunities—such as those offered by the SEforALL STEM Traineeship Programme—and surround yourself with peers and mentors who will challenge and encourage you.

Above all, never forget that your special viewpoint and talents are priceless for advancing sustainable energy.

On this International Women’s Day, let us honour the achievements of women in STEM and commit to a future where gender equality and sustainable innovation go hand in hand. Your passion, resilience, and creativity are vital for powering tomorrow.

Successful electrification of six leading hospitals in Sierra Leone inspired the extension 

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, 20 September - Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) has now extended the Sierra Leone Healthcare Electrification Project to provide solar power electrification of 0.308 Megawatt peak (MWp) to an additional government hospital in Kailahun and 25 Community Health Centres (CHCs) across the country. 

Currently, 18 of these CHCs have no existing power source and the remaining have unreliable access to the grid or are self-generating using diesel. But that will change when the solar PV and battery systems are installed, giving doctors and nurses a reliable power source for treating patients. The new systems will significantly lower reliance on diesel generators, which will reduce the government’s healthcare expenditure on generator fuel and prevent greenhouse gas emissions. 
 

This groundbreaking project is in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Sierra Leone alongside support from the UK Government and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) until its completion date of October 2024. 

Collaborative efforts are vital, the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby emphasized this: “The link between energy and health sectors is instrumental in improving service delivery and health outcomes. We made a commitment at COP28 that we will go green for health and this means that as we increase the number of health facilities and improve on existing ones, we will be conscious about the climate by ensuring that we prioritize renewable energy sources. This is why we are very pleased with the partnership we have with SEforALL and the UK Government as they help electrify our health facilities.”  

The Sierra Leone Healthcare Electrification Project was launched after needs assessments were carried out in October 2022. Solar panels with battery systems were commissioned at six prominent medical facilities including the Ola During Children’s Hospital and the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital both in Freetown, then Masanga Hospital in Tonkolili, and three more government hospitals in Kambia, Kabala and Bonthe by late December 2023.  

Solar power is life-changing, a Maternity Nurse at Kambia Government Hospital, Mariatu Kamara reflected: “Can you believe we used phone lights to perform deliveries in the maternity ward? Solar has made my work easier. I'm now free from the ordeal of holding a phone in my mouth while I do the delivery. The patients are also happy.” 

The initial six hospitals received a combined total of more than 0.6MWp of installed solar PV capacity with battery storage, and are now fully equipped to provide critical medical care at all hours of the day and night. 

This phase of the project will power facilities in several districts, including Bo, Bonthe, Kailahun, Kono, Tonkolili, and the Western Area, benefiting key centers such as Bo School Clinic, Gerihun CHC, Moriba Town CHC, Taiama Trauma Centre, and Jenner Wright in Freetown, alongside 20 other facilities.

The transition has been transformative for Sierra Leone and it’s only the beginning. SEforALL’s Sierra Leone Country Manager, Ngozi Beckley-Lines expressed pride in the project’s impact: “Rural and underserved communities can now rely on clean and renewable solar power, ensuring improved around-the-clock medical care. The energy transition work continues, and we will leave no one behind.”

SEforALL plans to install a total of 4.3MWp of solar power across Sierra Leone. The third and final phase of the Sierra Leone Healthcare Electrification Project will supply another 11 hospitals including Lakka, Port Loko, Makeni and Kenema Government Hospitals with solar PV and battery systems.

On June 7th, 2024, Borup became the first town in Sierra Leone to be electrified with clean energy backed by Sustainable Energy for All's (SEforALL) results-based financing (RBF) multi-donor fund, the Universal Energy Facility (UEF). This achievement is the culmination of seven months of intensive work carried out by UEF grantee Energicity (SL) Limited (Power Leone).

The 27 kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) and 85kWh battery mini-grid will provide 150 electricity connections and will directly benefit 1,300 people, powering households, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and public institutions.

“This is a big achievement not only for the Universal Energy Facility and Energicity (Power Leone), but for Sierra Leone as well. It would not be possible without the support of the Government of Sierra Leone and our partners,” said Anita Otubu, Senior Director of the UEF. “The UEF is proving that it is a flexible mechanism able to rapidly adapt to challenges posed in each market, such as macroeconomic disruptions. This is the first of many more mini-grids we are constructing at record speed.”  

The mini-grid was officially commissioned during an event attended by Emmanuel Mannah, Director General of the Electricity & Water Regulatory Commission; Benjamin Kamara, Chief Director Energy, Ministry of Energy; Ambassador Umaru Bon Wurie, Resident Minister North West; Pa Komrabai. L. Kabia, Paramount Chief, Port Loko Chief; Emmanuel Junisa, Deputy Secretary (representing the Permanent Secretary), Ministry of Energy; Hon. Kerura Vandi, Chairman, Energy Committee Parliament; Ngozi Beckley-Lines, SEforALL’s Country Manager for Sierra Leone; Femi Coker, Director, Energicity; and representatives from the private sector and the local community.

Sierra Leone faces a major hurdle in electricity access, with only 36% of the population connected nationwide, dropping even lower to 5% in rural areas. Recognizing this critical gap, the Government has set a bold target: achieving nearly 92% universal electrification by 2030. To bridge this divide quickly, they are working on implementing electrified mini-grid systems, a potentially transformative solution for rural communities.

“SEforALL is committed to ensuring universal access to sustainable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, and increasing the use of renewable energy. Our initiatives are geared towards achieving these goals in Sierra Leone through a range of targeted programmes and partnerships focused mainly on rural and underserved communities. We are committed to fostering sustainable development and ensuring access to modern, reliable, affordable energy. We will leave no one behind,’’ said Ngozi Beckley-Lines, Country Manager for Sierra Leone at SEforALL.

Since the launch of the UEF mini-grid programme in Sierra Leone, the UEF has approved funding for the construction of 7 mini-grids, which are expected to generate nearly 1,200 connections and transform the lives of over 10,000 people in households, businesses, religious and academic institutions, clinics, entertainment centres, etc. This is a major boost for the socio-economic and human development of the communities benefited.

"This is more than just delivering solar power; it's about empowering entire communities. With our community-scale mini-grid solution, residents now have access to the electricity they need to run businesses, improve their lives, and reach their full potential.” said Nicole Poindexter, CEO and Founder of Energicity. “This project would not have been possible without the unwavering commitment of our partners, including the Government of Sierra Leone and SEforALL/UEF. Together, we are making a real difference. Access to clean, reliable energy unlocks economic opportunities, fosters sustainable development, and shapes a brighter future for Sierra Leone."

The upcoming mini-grids are being constructed in Kalangba and Kasiri; their completion is expected later this year. The communities of Pepel, Njala Mosongo, Kalangba, Njala Mokonde, and Mokanji are expected to be connected later.

Additionally, the UEF issued conditional letters of support for constructing 10 more mini-grids, which could bring clean energy to over 20,000 people. The entire portfolio of 17 mini-grids is expected to be fully operational by 2025.

The Universal Energy Facility (UEF) was established to significantly speed up and scale up energy access across Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond, in line with SDG7 and the Paris Agreement. The UEF provides incentive payments to eligible organisations deploying energy solutions and providing verified end-user electricity connections (including mini-grids and stand-alone solar systems) and clean cooking solutions based on pre-determined standards. The facility is managed by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and supported by the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Shell Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, Bezos Earth Fund, Africa Mini-grid Developers Association, Power Africa, Good Energies, UKaid, Carbon Trust, IKEA Foundation, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany (BMZ) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). 

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is committed to engaging and empowering youth to become leaders of a just and equitable energy transition, which is why we hosted an Energy, Climate, and Development Career Fair in Freetown, Sierra Leone on 18 March. This groundbreaking event served as a pivotal platform connecting youth with invaluable career pathways and opportunities in the realms of sustainable energy, climate, and sustainable development. 

The career fair attracted an array of attendees, including 176 youth (120 male, 56 female) who are attending secondary school or university, or who have recently graduated. They met with representative from esteemed secondary and tertiary educational institutions, companies and organizations, and prominent institutions in Sierra Leone’s sustainable energy sector. Their active participation and engagement underscored the pressing need for initiatives fostering dialogue and collaboration in addressing critical global challenges.

“We are thrilled by the overwhelming response to the Energy, Climate, and Development Career Fair," said Rosemary Idem, Gender and Youth Programme Manager, SEforALL. "It is inspiring to see the level of enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by the youth and stakeholders towards exploring career opportunities in the sustainable energy sector. This event exemplifies our dedication to bridging the information gap for career opportunities and building a pipeline of talent needed to advance and sustain the just and equitable energy transition across the globe.”

We extend our sincere gratitude to all the participants, including the youth, schools, companies, and institutions, for their active involvement and contributions towards making the career fair a resounding success. Their enthusiasm and engagement underscore the importance of empowering the next generation of leaders and change-makers to drive progress towards ending energy poverty.

A special thank you to our showcasing partners: EM-ONE Solutions, Shortlist Futures, Crown Agents, Freetown City Council, Easy Solar, Wired Salone Solar Energy, Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Health. 
Furthermore, SEforALL acknowledges and appreciates the invaluable support from our esteemed partners: the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), and the Government of Iceland Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

As we reflect on the success of the Energy, Climate, and Development Career Fair, we remain committed to supporting the inclusion and participation of women and youth in the sustainable energy sector, particularly through our dedicated Gender and Youth programme.

For more information and updates on future events and initiatives, follow us on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X. 

Last week marked the successful commissioning of a transformational project in Sierra Leone that has electrified six key hospitals with decentralized solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and batteries.  

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation celebrated this milestone at Ola During Children’s Hospital in Freetown, one of the six electrified hospitals, along with Ms. Kate Foster, UK Africa Director at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), UK Government, and Ms. Lisa Chesney, British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone  

The new energy systems provide a combined installed capacity of nearly 0.6 megawatt-peak (MWp) to the six hospitals. They were designed taking into account the current and future energy needs of the health facilities. In most cases, they have replaced unreliable and polluting diesel generators, providing a more consistent supply of dependable and clean power for the critical infrastructure used by doctors and nurses to treat patients.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin H. Demby said, “[These hospitals] have gone through a transition that will forever change the way healthcare is delivered in the country. Before this time, they relied on the national grid and backup generators, which were very expensive to run and, in some cases, cost 20% of the budget of the hospitals, which is not sustainable. The health sector will work assiduously to go green”.

The project has been funded by the UK and implemented by Sustainable Energy for All in partnership with Crown Agents and EM-ONE Energy Solutions. The overall goal is to enable improved delivery of healthcare, especially maternal and child health services, in unelectrified or poorly electrified facilities, through improved access to modern, affordable, and sustainable electricity services.

In March 2023, SEforALL published a Market Assessment and Roadmap for Health Facilities in Sierra Leone, which revealed that 38 percent of health facilities lack reliable access to energy. Detailed energy audits of major hospitals were also conducted, following which 6 of them, located in Freetown, Kambia, Masanga, Kabala and Bonthe, were selected for electrification.  

Dr. Ayeshatu Mustapha, the Medical Superintendent at Ola During hospital, heartily welcomes the intervention. “The electrical and solar installation for the hospital is life changing. 70 to 80 babies and children are receiving critical care every day, which needs reliable and sustainable energy. The medical equipment will last longer, and there is economic benefit to the hospital as the funds can now be directed to other necessary equipment”, he said.

To ensure that the energy systems and the associated benefits of the project are sustained in the long run, the project partners are developing a model for longer-term operations and maintenance (O&M) and training hospital staff to be involved in this effort, as well as creating a framework to monitor and evaluate the health and environmental impacts over time.

“Such a comprehensive model for health facility electrification beyond this current project is another major outcome of this work. We are already beginning to see results on the ground, with healthcare workers able to offer medical services late into the night and operate equipment which requires a steady power connection. This project is going to impact thousands of lives”, said Madhusagar Singh, Project Manager (Powering Healthcare Project), Sierra Leone, SEforALL.

The Universal Energy Facility (UEF) – a multi-donor results-based financing facility managed by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) – is signing several grant agreements with mini-grid companies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Madagascar and Sierra Leone in the coming weeks. The grantees will receive financial support to build solar mini-grids in communities without access to clean energy and where other polluting energy sources, such as diesel and petrol generators, charcoal and firewood, are common. 

“Accelerating access to reliable, sustainable and affordable electricity to those most in need is the central focus of UEF and its partners,” said Anita Otubu, Senior Director of the UEF. “This is a big step and the first of many we need to take to continue improving people’s lives in Africa. Access to clean energy is a life-changing step that leads to economic growth, empowering women, reducing C02 emissions, and creating jobs - among other benefits.” 

The USD 10.4 million of additional funding is for 17,628 connections distributed among six companies, benefiting an estimated 88,000 people in 29 communities in the three countries. During the next 12 months, the beneficiaries will construct and commission 29 mini-grids with an estimated 3.7MW of renewable energy capacity installed, leading to an avoidance of approximately 1,800 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions per year. 

“Once again, the UEF proves to be a rapid, cost-effective solution for accelerating the deployment of clean energy grants,” said Edward Borgstein, Managing Director at the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), a UEF donor. “As a partner, having access to a robust and efficient mechanism to get funds to work is crucial as we seek to accelerate electricity access in some of the world’s most energy-poor locations.” 

Democratic Republic of the Congo 

Despite having an immense and varied energy potential from renewable resources including hydroelectric, biomass, solar and geothermal power; only 49 per cent of its 96 million people have access to electricity, most of them in urban centres, according to the World Bank. As a solution, and to support the government’s efforts to significantly increase power connections, the UEF launched its mini-grid programme in the DRC in October 2022.  

The UEF recently signed the first grant agreement for USD 3.8 million with Electrilac S.A.S, a subsidiary of Green Enesys, with the goal of providing 6,500 new electricity connections and installing 2.5MW of renewable energy capacity. These connections are expected to positively impact over 30,000 people, providing them with new or improved access to electricity. 

“The financial support from the UEF and partners is crucial to promoting a robust and dynamic energy market in the DRC. This will bring sustainable and reliable energy to underserved communities, delivering a catalytic impact in creating more and better jobs, new business opportunities, and in contributing to the sustainable socio-economic development of the region,” said Ranjith Rao, Chief Business Development Officer, Green Enesys “We see this type of support as a win-win situation for our business, but also for the government and the people of the DRC.” 

Madagascar 

According to the World Bank, only 73 percent of the Malagasy population has access to electricity in urban areas and only 11 percent in rural areas.  

To support electrification efforts, the UEF opened its first funding window in 2020, signing grant agreements with two developers for nine mini-grid sites, resulting in 2,496 expected electricity connections. In its second wave of funding, the UEF is signing grant agreements with WeLight, ANKA, Autarsys and Jiro Taratra/Africa GreenTec, totaling USD 5.9 million for an additional 21 mini-grids. This will result in 9,935 new electricity connections and 0.99MW of renewable energy capacity installed. These connections are expected to impact nearly 50,000 people in regions with strong economic growth potential and in sectors such as agriculture and trade by providing new or improved access to electricity.  

"The Government of Madagascar is fully committed to identifying and implementing appropriate strategies to accelerate access to electricity for communities, particularly in rural areas, using appropriate and effective mechanisms,” said Mamisoa Rakotoarimanana, Executive Secretary, Agency for Rural Electrification Development.  “Initiatives such as the UEF are highly appreciated when it comes to identifying key partners to support our strategy while simultaneously delivering substantial results.” 

“At Africa GreenTec, we align our actions with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals,” said Moritz Brauchle, Managing Director, Africa GreenTec. “Therefore, we are grateful to have found a strong partner in UEF with whom we can jointly achieve our goal of sustainable impact through renewable energy solutions.” 

To date, the UEF mini-grid programme in Madagascar is the fastest growing and the largest beneficiary of UEF grants.   

Sierra Leone 

The Government of Sierra Leone is committed to significantly increasing the national electrification rate, aiming to reach 92 percent by 2030. This ambitious goal is a response to the current access rate of just 26 percent, which falls to 5 percent in rural areas. With these low electricity access rates, the government recognizes the urgent need to implement electrified mini-grid systems to bridge this gap. 

Since 2020, the UEF has committed over USD 2 million in grant agreements for the deployment of mini-grid projects in two different funding windows. The UEF plans to sign a USD 706,000 grant agreement with Energicity (SL) Limited to develop seven mini-grids. This project is expected to provide 1,193 electricity connections and 0.2MW of renewable energy capacity that will impact the lives of nearly 6,000 people. 

Additionally, the UEF has issued conditional offer letters to developers for the construction of more than 20 mini-grid sites, showing substantial progress in the application process in the DRC, Madagascar and Sierra Leone. After the successful completion of all the requirements, the UEF will potentially extend grant agreements in the coming months. 

More information on the UEF is available here.  

Today at Freetown’s Ola During Children’s and Princess Christian Maternity Hospital, Dr. Austin Demby, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health and Sanitation, unveiled a new project that will electrify six hospitals with decentralized solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with batteries. 

These renewable energy systems will provide the hospitals with a reliable and less-polluting alternative to their current systems, helping improve the quality of healthcare delivery to patients. Currently, the hospitals rely on either polluting diesel generators or the main electricity grid, making them prone to power cuts that put patients’ lives at risk.   

Located in Freetown, Kambia, Masanga, Kabala and Bonthe, the hospitals will receive a combined total of more than 0.6 megawatt-peak (MWp) of installed solar PV capacity with battery storage.

They were selected following detailed energy audits at major hospitals in the country done earlier this year. That study found that more than 1,000 health facilities in Sierra Leone need either a complete power solution or a back-up solution, requiring an investment of approximately USD 64 million.

Installation of the power solutions is scheduled for July-August 2023. The project is being implemented by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) in partnership with the Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health & Sanitation, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Crown Agents and EM-ONE Energy Solutions.   

Dr. Austin Demby, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health and Sanitation, said “The Government of Sierra Leone has recognized that reliable, sufficient electricity is a critical input to healthcare services. This project shows our commitment to ensuring hospitals are better equipped to keep people safe and healthy by harnessing the power of renewable energy.”   

As an added benefit, the project was also designed to enhance employment and career opportunities for women in the local renewable energy sector. Twelve young women have already begun a specialized training programme that provides them with practical experience and classroom training on solar PV project implementation, including participating in the installation process at the hospitals.   

“By showcasing how hospitals can be equipped with renewable and reliable energy solutions in an accelerated time frame, we hope to provide a model that can be used to electrify thousands of other health facilities across Sierra Leone and beyond,” said Madhusagar Singh, Project Manager (Powering Healthcare Project), Sierra Leone, SEforALL. “These solar energy systems can bring significant benefits to the delivery of health services, saving lives and improving health outcomes.” 

Learn more about the project here. 

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) launched its Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) traineeship in Sierra Leone on 8 March. This innovative six-month programme is providing technical training to 12 recent or soon-to-be university graduates by having them participate in a local health electrification project and online skills training.   

Trainees have already begun several online courses covering topics that will be valuable to their burgeoning energy careers, and they will soon be on-site at hospitals and clinics in Sierra Leone, working closely with SEforALL and its implementing partner, EM-One, to develop solar installations.  

Bintu Jalloh is one of the 12 trainees, and we recently asked her about her experiences within the programme thus far and what she is looking forward to in the months ahead. 

Q: Why is it important for you and other women to gain experience in STEM, specifically within the energy sector? 

A: As a woman in STEM, I believe in being empowered and being a citizen that will contribute greatly to the development of my country and Africa as a whole. The energy sector is very important for building a more sustainable future, so learning and experiencing different aspects of the sector now will be a life-changing opportunity for me. It will broaden my skill-set and help me identify where I can have the greatest impact on Sierra Leone’s energy transition. 

Q: How is the SEforALL Women in STEM traineeship going so far? What have been some of the highlights from the first month?   

A: It has been a great educative and interactive experience so far. The past few weeks of training have given me the opportunity to meet with great people involved in the energy sector who are at the forefront in making sure SDG7 is attained by 2030.  

Interactive virtual sessions were organized to give me the opportunity to learn about how important renewable energy is to Africa and how the economic growth of a country like Sierra Leone can be developed through the energy sector.   

The Health, Safety and Environment training session conducted by the EM-One team gave me many practical tips that are relevant to working on-site at energy projects like those being carried out on health facilities.   

We learned how to identify potential risks and hazards faced in the workplace, especially when installing solar panels; safety signs and symbols; reporting of incidents; how important personal protective equipment (PPEs) are and how to use them; the hierarchy of controls; and other environment-related health and safety issues.  

The soft skills training was also one of my favourites because the subjects we covered will definitely help me excel in my future endeavours. This training opened my eyes to how to maintain a good working relationship with people, how to manage my time, set my goals, and work towards achieving them. It also taught me to be confident enough to ask questions, give my input on things, bring my ideas on board rather than been silent in a room, and to have the confidence to speak in public, which has been one of my greatest fears. 

Q: What are you looking forward to most in the coming months? Are there any specific skills or experiences you hope to gain?  

A: As the training continues, I’m hoping that the programme becomes even more interesting and informative. In particular, I look forward to gaining leadership, technical and project management skills. The opportunity to work with different experts in the energy sector on- and off-site installing solar panels, repairing equipment and working on other projects will be highly appreciated.   

Getting to witness the different steps involved in connecting these hospitals to reliable, solar energy from a project management perspective, and then executing some of the physical installation work will be a new experience for me, so it will very rewarding. 

This week Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) spotlighted its robust Country Programme in Sierra Leone, which is helping the country expand energy access and transition to clean energy.

Major initiatives under the programme include a newly announced project to help young women build careers in renewable energy; financing mini-grid development through the Universal Energy Facility; advising on how to improve the affordability of mini-grid electrification; managing the solar electrification of hospitals; and more.

These initiatives were highlighted during SEforALL’s ‘Sierra Leone week,’ when leadership from SEforALL, government representatives, the private sector, funders, and other stakeholders came together in a series of important meetings to raise awareness of game-changing projects in the energy sector and to chart the way forward on the country’s energy sector plans.

Ngozi Beckley-Lines, Country Manager for Sierra Leone at SEforALL, said “The Government of Sierra Leone has shown great ambition for transforming its energy sector, including plans to increase household energy access to 80 percent of the population by 2030. But the country needs greater support from the international community to reach its goals. In consultation with the Government, SEforALL and its partners have designed a wide set of initiatives that will support clean energy development, powering people and key social and economic infrastructure.”

Major initiatives that were unveiled or discussed included the following:

• Traineeship for young women in energy: The six-month programme will provide hands-on technical training to 12 recent or soon-to-be university graduates in the execution of a health electrification project. Trainees will be on-site at hospitals and clinics to develop solar installations. In addition to their technical work, SEforALL is providing the women with additional training on energy sector development throughout the six months. 

• Market Assessment and Roadmap for Social Infrastructure in Sierra Leone: The assessment consists of two analyses that examine the electrification of health and education facilities. It provides actionable recommendations for the public sector, development partners, and the private sector, to overcome barriers that are impeding the accelerated deployment of sustainable power solutions to schools and health facilities, providing a step-by-step roadmap towards full electrification of social infrastructure in Sierra Leone.

• Health electrification project: SEforALL is managing the solar electrification of six hospitals across the country, working closely with implementing partners EM-One and Crown Agents. This project is supported by funding partner the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and will add approximately 0.6 MWp of installed solar PV capacity to the health sector. The project emerged from an analysis conducted by SEforALL that showed 38 percent of health facilities lack access to power.

• Advising on hydroelectric project development: SEforALL is providing legal, project management and technical support for the implementation of the Betmai Hydroelectric Project. Once developed, the project is expected to provide enough reliable, clean and affordable electricity for 500,000 people and unlock over USD 100 million in private investment.

• Finance for mini-grids: Sierra Leone is one of five countries in Sub-Saharan Africa where the Universal Energy Facility – a results-based financing facility managed by SEforALL – is providing grants for energy access projects. Mini-grids supported by the facility are already under development in Sierra Leone and are expected to be completed in 2023.

• Enabling clean energy mini-grids: SEforALL shared recommendations for interventions to reduce end-user tariffs and improve the affordability of mini-grid electrification in rural areas based on a quantitative and comparative analysis of price drivers in the country.

The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office are among the key partners to support the development and execution of SEforALL’s country programme in Sierra Leone.