By: Aminata Sesay
Sierra Leone is using its platform at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, to highlight a critical dimension of climate action gender-inclusive electric mobility. Under the theme “Powering Progress: Accelerating Sierra Leone’s Electric Mobility Transition,” the country showcased its Electric Mobility Project not only as a climate solution but also as an opportunity to address long-standing gender and social inequalities in the transport and energy sectors.
Building on last year’s successful pilot with NEEV Sierra Leone, the government has developed a comprehensive suite of policy tools, including the National Draft Gender-Sensitive Electric Mobility Strategy, EV import and registration regulations, a renewable-energy charging framework, and a safe battery disposal scheme. These policies were validated through a multi-stakeholder process to ensure that women, youth, and vulnerable groups benefit equally from the transition.
At COP30, Sierra Leone emphasized that advancing electric mobility requires acknowledging gender barriers that limit participation. Women face unequal access to finance, limited mobility options, and fewer opportunities within transport and energy value chains challenges that must be addressed for the country to achieve the 16.2% emissions reduction target for the transport sector under NDC 3.0.
The side event highlighted that while the strategy is technically robust and environmentally aligned, inclusive implementation is the real test. Scaling electric mobility will require targeted financing, infrastructure expansion, capacity-building programs, and deliberate support for women and marginalized groups to participate in EV-related markets.
Sierra Leone is calling for partnership, solidarity, and innovation. The country urges stakeholders to support gender-responsive financing, invest in inclusive charging infrastructure, expand opportunities for women-led enterprises, and ensure that the transition to clean transport is not only green but also fair, inclusive, and transformative for all.