By: Mamajah Jalloh
The Minister of Energy, Cyril Arnold Grant, has raised concerns over the growing financial challenges facing Sierra Leone’s electricity sector, warning that accumulated electricity debt has exceeded US$200 million, while widespread electricity theft, illegal connections and unpaid bills continue to undermine the sector’s sustainability.
He made this disclosure during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press conference held at the Miatta Civic Centre, Youyi Building, Freetown, on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. The special session focused on electricity theft and illegal connections.
Minister Grant explained that the mounting debt, accumulated across government institutions, businesses and other electricity consumers, poses a serious threat to the financial stability and operational efficiency of the electricity sector.
He noted that the growing arrears have weakened the capacity of electricity institutions to sustain adequate power generation and distribution, carry out essential repairs, maintain infrastructure and improve service delivery.
Addressing the challenges affecting the sector, the Minister expressed concern over electricity rationing and reduced power supply, noting that households and businesses continue to experience inadequate electricity, with negative consequences for economic activities, productivity and daily livelihoods.
He stressed that the situation requires comprehensive and sustainable reforms rather than temporary interventions, particularly to address the underlying financial and operational weaknesses in the sector.
Minister Grant identified electricity theft and illegal connections as major contributors to revenue losses, describing the practices as serious threats to the country’s electricity supply system. He cited cases in which electricity meters are bypassed or improperly installed, allowing some consumers to access electricity without paying for their actual consumption.
According to him, such practices unfairly shift the financial burden onto consumers who pay their bills while weakening efforts to ensure an equitable and sustainable electricity distribution system.
He warned that unless electricity theft is addressed, it could further undermine the revenue base of electricity providers and deepen the financial challenges confronting the sector.
Against this backdrop, the Minister disclosed that a task force operating under the Office of the Vice President had been established to investigate and address the underlying challenges affecting the electricity sector.
He said the task force is expected to conduct comprehensive assessments of electricity consumption, inspect meters, identify illegal connections and investigate meter tampering and other forms of electricity theft.
The initiative, he explained, is intended to tackle the problems at their source, improve revenue collection, strengthen accountability and enhance the overall efficiency of the electricity system.
The Minister further emphasised the need for a more efficient and transparent electricity management system, noting that reforms must address both financial and technical weaknesses to achieve sustainable improvements in power supply.
He maintained that recovering unpaid electricity bills, eliminating illegal connections and strengthening institutional efficiency would be critical to restoring financial stability in the sector and improving access to reliable electricity for households and businesses.
His remarks highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reforms as Sierra Leone continues to grapple with mounting electricity debt, revenue losses, inadequate power supply and the financial pressures confronting electricity institutions.