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PI-CREF, State House, State Avenue, Freetown (2026)

20/03/2026

From the Chairman and staff of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security.

11/03/2026

As a team, we stepped away from the usual setting of work yesterday for a refreshing and highly engaging retreat at Mozza Beach Resort. The session created space for open discussion, reflection and renewed focus as colleagues interacted freely and shared ideas on strengthening our collective work.

31/01/2026

PI-CREF’s Chairman Yumkella Leads Sierra Leone Delegation to Nigeria

Holds High-Level Consultations as Special Envoy to advance discussions on the upcoming Regional Integration and Investment Summit in West Africa

Abuja, Nigeria, 30 January 2026:- Hon. Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security, has concluded a high-level shuttle diplomatic mission to the Federal Republic of Nigeria following his appointment by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio as Special Envoy for the upcoming ECOWAS Integration and Investment Summit.

Marking the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS, the summit aims to revitalize the region's economic agenda by facilitating bankable investments and promoting regional value chains across four strategic pillars - Energy Trade, Strategic Minerals, Agribusiness, and Digital Transformation. This high-profile event will convene Heads of State, ministers, private sector leaders, development finance institutions, and other regional organizations.

Nigeria marks Yumkella’s first diplomatic stop as part of a first round of consultations and preparatory engagements across the ECOWAS region. These engagements are aimed at redefining West Africa’s development pathway by unlocking investment in the region’s abundant natural endowments as drivers of industrial development, job creation, and shared prosperity.

In Nigeria, the delegation has had meetings with the President of the ECOWAS Commission (H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray) and Vice President (Mme. Damtiens Larbli Tchintchibidja). The delegation held ensuing discussions with Commissioners and Directors of the Commission, government officials of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (i.e., Minister of Power, Permanent Secretary and team of Directors; Director General of the West Africa Power Pool; the Permanent Secretary of Solid Minerals and his team of Directors, the Executive Director of West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) Secretariat within the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Director General of the African Development Bank in Nigeria and senior executives of Sustainable Energy for ALL office.

The ECOWAS Investment Summit signals a deliberate shift toward action-oriented regional integration, where high-level political commitment is reinforced by structured economic collaboration, strategic partnerships, and investment-led growth that delivers measurable benefits to the people of West Africa.

Dr. Yumkella’s appointment underscores President Bio’s bold and pragmatic regional leadership in his capacity as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, with a renewed focus on translating political cooperation into tangible economic outcomes. The Special Envoy’s mandate is centered on catalyzing private-sector-led investments to accelerate regional economic integration, particularly in sustainable and clean energy, mineral beneficiation, agribusiness value chains, and digital transformation—key sectors critical to expanding e-commerce and cross-border trade across West Africa.

29/01/2026

PI-CREF and FAO Conclude Southern and Eastern Regional Food Systems Coordination Workshop in Bo

Thursday, 29 January 2026 | Bo City— The Office of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF), in close collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has successfully concluded a one-day regional training workshop on Strengthened Food Systems Coordination and Information Dissemination in Bo City.

The Bo engagement followed an earlier regional workshop held in Makeni and brought together food systems stakeholders from Sierra Leone’s Southern and Eastern Regions, reinforcing national efforts to improve coordination, collaboration, and information flow across the food systems landscape.

Welcoming participants on behalf of the District Agriculture Officer, Ms. Kadijatu Alice Koroma, District Crop Officer, expressed appreciation to PI-CREF and FAO for selecting Bo as host city. She highlighted the importance of strong inter-institutional collaboration in advancing national food security goals, noting that platforms for dialogue and learning remain critical to collective success.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Chairman of PI-CREF, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, Director of Food Security and Climate-Smart Agricultural Transformation, underscored PI-CREF’s mandate as a national coordination hub. He thanked FAO for its continued partnership and emphasized that effective food systems governance extends beyond agriculture, requiring deliberate multi-sectoral engagement.

“PI-CREF provides a strong national platform that brings together MDAs, development partners, the private sector, civil society, and communities. We emphasize collaboration over isolation and collective action toward shared objectives,” Dr. Kormawa stated.

He further described the workshop as timely and strategic, noting its focus on strengthening coordination structures and enhancing food systems information dissemination for evidence-based decision-making.

Also addressing participants, Ms. Neneh Bah Jalloh, National Coordinator of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Secretariat, commended PI-CREF and FAO for convening stakeholders at regional level. She reaffirmed SUN’s commitment to sustained collaboration in advancing integrated food and nutrition systems across the country.

In his remarks, Dr. James Edwin, Director General of the National Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate (NaMED), praised PI-CREF and FAO for organizing the workshop, stating, it is a critical step toward inclusive dialogue and stronger institutional alignment, calling for more engagements that promote shared learning and coordinated action.

The workshop was expertly facilitated by Hon. Solomon Bangali, who served as Lead Consultant, alongside his technical team. Their guidance and hands-on facilitation were instrumental in steering discussions, fostering active participation, and ensuring that sessions remained focused, practical, and outcome-oriented throughout the day.

The workshop convened a diverse group of participants, including District Agriculture Officers, District Nutritionists from District Health Management Teams, agricultural nutritionists, and national-level actors involved in food systems governance. Discussions centered on strengthening inclusive and accountable food systems through enhanced institutional capacity, multi-sector collaboration, and effective information sharing.

Interactive sessions provided participants with opportunities to exchange experiences, assess existing coordination and data-sharing platforms, and identify practical pathways for improving food systems governance and evidence-driven interventions.

The Bo workshop concluded on a high note, with participants reaffirming their commitment to cross-sector collaboration, marking another meaningful step toward building resilient, well-coordinated, and data-informed food systems that support food security and improved nutrition for all Sierra Leoneans.

26/01/2026

PI-CREF and FAO Strengthen Food Systems Coordination at Regional Workshop in Makeni

Monday, 26th January 2025, Makeni City - Office of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has successfully concluded a one-day regional training workshop to Strengthened Food Systems Coordination and Information Dissemination in Makeni. The workshop brought together stakeholders from the Northern, North-Western, and Western Regions to enhance collaboration and governance across Sierra Leone’s food systems.

Welcoming participants, the District Agriculture Officer for Bombali District, Mr. Lamin Mbogba, expressed appreciation for hosting the workshop and underscored its importance in generating practical outcomes to improve national food systems.

The National Coordinator of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Secretariat, Madam Neneh Bah Jalloh, highlighted the critical role of data in improving nutrition outcomes. She noted that while data gaps have long been a challenge, systems are now being strengthened to collate and share food systems data with partners. She reaffirmed SUN’s commitment to working closely with PI-CREF, FAO, and other stakeholders to enhance nutrition data and improve the well-being of all Sierra Leoneans.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Chairman of PI-CREF, Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, Director of Food Security and Climate-Smart Agricultural Transformation at PI-CREF, thanked participants for their active engagement. He emphasized that PI-CREF was established to provide strategic leadership and coordination across climate change, renewable energy, and food security, noting that the training directly supports this mandate by fostering alignment, collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making.

Dr. Kormawa acknowledged existing challenges, including fragmented coordination, limited information sharing, and capacity gaps, which continue to constrain progress toward national food security and nutrition goals. He stressed that the workshop was not only a learning platform but also an opportunity to build partnerships, strengthen trust, and collectively drive Sierra Leone’s food systems transformation.

The workshop convened a broad range of stakeholders, including District Agriculture Officers, District Nutritionists from District Health Management Teams, agricultural nutritionists, and national-level actors involved in food systems governance. Discussions focused on strengthening inclusive and accountable food systems through improved institutional capacity, multi-sector collaboration, and effective information dissemination.

Through interactive sessions, participants shared experiences and explored existing platforms for data sharing and communication, reinforcing pathways for improved food systems governance and evidence-based action.

The Makeni workshop closed with renewed commitment from participants to work collaboratively across sectors, signaling a strong step forward in building resilient, well-coordinated, and data-driven food systems that advance food security and nutrition for all Sierra Leoneans.

09/01/2026

Hon. Kandeh Yumkella arrives in Abu Dhabi for IRENA General Assembly

Abu Dhabi, 9 January 2026

Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security has arrived in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for the Sixteenth Session of the IRENA General Assembly.

Dr. Yumkella is invited in his own capacity as Chairman and the work he does for IRENA including as an advisor of the Director -General. Yumkella played a strategic role in the founding of IRENA during his tenure as UNIDO Director-General and Chair of UN-Energy.

Dr. Yumkella is expected to take part in several high-level discussions and will lead meetings on the margins including the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA). In November 2025, Sierra Leone hosted the Second APRA Investment Forum.

Today, at the invitation of Director -General of IRENA, he joined African Ambassadors to the UAE and Permanent Representatives to IRENA as the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables (APRA) Secretariat briefed them on the activities of the initiative. Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the UAE and Permanent Representative to IRENA, His Excellency Mr. Rashid Sesay also attended the briefing. Ambassador Sesay is the Dean of the African Group of Ambassadors in the UAE. Sierra Leone is a founding member of the APRA Initiative.

16/12/2025

PI-CREF Leads Efforts to Establish the Climate Finance and Energy Innovation Hub as Partners Pledge Support

Freetown, 16 December 2025:- Held at its Secretariat Office at the Freetown City Council Building, the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF) has convened a technical workshop for partners to discuss the establishment of the Sierra Leone Climate Finance and Energy Innovation Hub (CFEIH) with the support of the Vienna-based OPEC Fund for International Development as part of its mandate.

Established to provide strategic leadership and coordination on climate action at the highest level of government, PI-CREF mandate seeks to align climate policy with national development priorities, unlock climate finance, and ensure that climate action delivers tangible socio-economic benefits for our people.
The Hub will therefore support the integration of climate action across key sectors, ensuring that energy innovation contributes to adaptation, resilience, and inclusive growth. Through its central facilitation role, PI-CREF will strengthen Sierra Leone’s voice and visibility in regional and global climate finance and energy innovation platforms.

Welcoming participants on behalf of Hon. Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, the initiative’s indefatigable chairman, Peter Kaindaneh, PI-CREF’s Chief technical Adviser, noted that “the establishment of the Climate Finance and Energy Innovation Hub represents a bold and strategic step toward securing Sierra Leone’s climate-resilient and low-carbon future. It signals our commitment to proactive climate leadership, effective resource mobilization, and meaningful participation in the global green energy transition.”

The Climate Finance and Energy Innovation Hub, one of the outcomes of the High-Level Investment Roundtable held in Vienna in June 2024, is the result of the strong partnership between the OPEC Fund and PI-CREF. The Roundtable brought together Members of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) – a strategic alliance among countries that includes the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND), the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), OPEC Fund for International Development and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD.

The hub, which has already received a grant of US$ 200, 000 from the OPEC Fund for its establishment will leverage additional resources, strengthen coordination, accelerate energy transition implementation, and develop robust investment pipelines. By supporting the development of a pipeline of bankable projects and enhancing national technical capacity, the CFEIH will contribute directly to Sierra Leone’s NDC implementation, the Energy Transition and Green Growth Plan, and broader socio-economic development goals.

“Climate Finance is one of such innovative financing mechanisms driving development around the world, with global climate commitments running into hundreds of billions of dollars annually with Sierra Leone facing significant challenges to access such needed finance,” said Dr. Abdul Rahim Jalloh, Deputy Minister II, speaking on behalf of Mr. Cyril A. Grant, Minister of Energy. “The Hub should be positioned to operate as a national coordinating mechanism to unlock international climate finance, strengthen project pipeline development, and drive innovation in clean energy and climate action,” he stressed.

“The Hub is our engine room for innovation. It is where policy meets action, turning our green ambitions into tangible realities,” said Sellu McCarthy reading prepared remarks on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Mr. Sheku A.F. Bangura. The Ministry called for the Hub to be designed in such a way that it is at the heart of the National Climate Finance Strategy recently developed, and given its work on Climate Finance, it will be a great support to the Hub.

For his part, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, PI-CREF Director, issued a strong call to development partners and concerned MDAs to partner closely with PI-CREF in supporting the establishment and operationalization of the Hub. “Strong institutional ownership, sustainability, and alignment with national systems are all critical,” he maintained. While PI-CREF’s role has been catalytic in nature, the CFIEH is envisaged as a national asset.

The workshop saw focused discussions on Sierra Leone’s Energy Transition and Climate Finance Readiness, the Hub’s Work streams and Thematic focus – Renewable Energy Scale-Up, Clean Cooking, Project Preparation, Agriculture and Climate Resilience, Date requirements, Tools and Support models, Bankable Projects Pipeline and the institutional Structure and Governance.

SEforALL’s Country Manager, Ms. Ngozi Beckley-Lines, Country Manager presented an overview of the Energy Transition and Green Growth Plan highlighting Sierra Leone’s national target and priority actions, renewable energy investment opportunities and barriers and implementation pathways. Ms. Aminata Wurie, Clean Cooking Lead at PI-CREF highlighted recent gains in advancing clean cooking initiatives including the National Clean Cooking Strategy among others.

Key outcome from the workshop confirmed the establishment of the Hub Secretariat within the Office of the President overseen by an inter-ministerial steering committee chaired by the President to ensure strong leadership and coordination. The Hub will also provide targeted technical assistance to Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations, and local authorities to mobilize innovative financing mechanisms while avoiding duplication. Instead, it will build on existing institutional arrangements such as the Technical Working Groups established for the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). To enhance efficiency, coherence, and long-term sustainability, the Hub will leverage existing infrastructure, governance frameworks, and proven models.

Development partners including UK High Commission, Ireland Embassy, German Embassy and GIZ, UNDP, FAO welcomed the new Hub and pledged to continue working with Sierra Leone and other partners to support its development, see it grow into a central mechanism for mobilizing climate finance to deliver real benefits to communities.

***

Contact:
Anthony A.K. Kamara, Director of Partnerships, Communications and Outreach | +232.78.107.303
Musa Kamara, Communications Officer | +232.77.307.972

21/10/2025

Climate Resilience and Energy Transition Dialogue - CRET 2025 updat

21/10/2025

CRET 2025 update

21/10/2025

The first day of the third edition of the Climate Resilience and Energy Transition Dialogue is underway. Snippet video from some of the speakers.

H.E. President Julius Maada Bio during his speech at this year’s CRET recognizes the role of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF) in improving coordination, planning and resource mobilization. He also took time to particularly thank Dr. Kandeh Yumkella for his stewardship expressed appreciation to Dr. Yumkella

IMPORTANT

👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

The president launched 7 key national initiative:

1. Mission 300 (M300) Sierra Leone Compact
2. National Clean Cooking Strategy
ECOWAS LPG 20/20 Programme
3. OFID Country Partnership Framework (CPF) Agreement
4. Climate Finance and Energy Innovation Hub
5. ⁠Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) Tool
6. Sierra Leone Electricity & Water Commission (SLEWRC) Mini-Grid Regulations 2025
SLEWRC Act 2025
7. Salone Off-Grid Renewable Energy Acceleration (SOGREA) Project

The real energy revolution is on the right path. Sierra Leone’s journey to energy sovereignty has just begun

10/10/2025

Climate Resilience & Energy Transition Dialogue 2025 (CRET 2025)

Theme: Mobilizing Investments for Climate Action, Food Security, Clean Cooking & a Just Energy Transition for All in Sierra Leone.

Under the visionary leadership of H.E. President Julius Maada Bio, Sierra Leone is advancing bold climate action, food security, clean cooking, and a just energy transition for all.

Powered by the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy & Food Security (PI-CREF) led by Hon. Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, the third edition of CRET 2025 will bring global leaders, development partners, private sector investors, and civil society to unlock transformative investments, accelerate green growth, and expand sustainable energy access and resilient food systems.

This year’s dialogue will spotlight President Bio’s climate leadership and MISSION 300, launch national initiatives and forge powerful partnerships to drive inclusive development and a greener future for Sierra Leone.

27/09/2025

Ireland Commits €1 Million for Kambia District Lite Salone Programme

New York, USA | Friday, September 26, 2025- Kambia District in Northern Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 is poised to benefit from a €1 Million to support the ongoing roll out of the Lite Salone programme.

Launched in April 2025 at the Kambia District Council premises by Hon. Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella in collaboration with the Embassies of Ireland 🇮🇪 and Iceland 🇮🇸, the Lite Salone programme provides solar home kits and lamps to light and power communities in the district.

Speaking in New York, at a high-level side event - “From Compact to Impact” held at the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations, Neale Richmond TD
Minister of State - Government of Ireland 🇮🇪 noted his country’s pride in being “among the first to support the initiative testing of the innovative model in Kambia District with Trocaire, a trusted Irish partner.” The event was co-hosted by the Government of Sierra Leone, Government of Ireland, Government of Iceland, the European Union, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Easy Solar, Trocaire and REAL (Rural Energy Access Lab).

According to Richmond, Iceland, the EU, and others are not only now supporting the scaling up of the model to 37,000 households in Kambia District in Northern Sierra Leone, but the development of a sustainable organisational structure to expand to all 16 districts of Sierra Leone.

In announcing the additional €1 Million to support the current Lite Salone implementation in Kambia District, Minister Richmond underscored that many years ago, Ireland went through its own rural electrification process, which was “an absolute game-changer in bringing our their country together.”

The landmark initiative bringing clean, affordable solar energy to rural communities in Kambia District, is part of Sierra Leone’s efforts towards rural electrification. Through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) the programme ensures the installation of Solar Home Systems in rural communities using an Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) model. Households will then pay a small monthly fee of NLe 60 (about $2.50) to access the solar kits, while the bottom 10 percent of households, identified through a community-led wealth ranking process will receive free solar lamps. The token fee will facilitate the upkeep of the kits and enable sustainable energy access over time.

The three core principles, said Ieva Indriunaite, Executive Director for REAL are “speed, affordability, and sustainability. The Solar Home Systems are designed to be effectively operated over a period of 5 to 10 years and are repairable.

According to Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, the Lite Salone programme targets “those people who cannot connect, lack access to power and are the most vulnerable.” The partnership with a private sector entity was deliberate. “*We know they are already doing solar household systems. We looked at affordability, availability, and the quality of the product. We wanted a company that has proven itself in the business as they have in other countries*,” he said. In Malawi 🇲🇼, using the same model they achieved a 100 percent pe*******on rate.

Hon. Yumkella’s focus right now is his home district of Kambia as he continues to mobilize resources and partners to extend the initiative to other parts of the country so no one is left behind as Sierra Leone marches towards rural electrification.

The Lite Salone model removes barriers to entry including removal of deposit often asked for. It is moving from a credit-based model, where people are being credit checked and credit scored and instantly excluded to a model that is very inclusive,” said said Alexandre Tourre, CEO of Easy Solar and co-founding member of REAL

With the focus of the programme on the hard-to-reach areas across the country, Ndeye Sesay, National Coordinator for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact stressed that - “Lite Salone is not just about having access to power, but about improving education outcomes, productive activities that can happen in the home as a result of having access to power.”

Andrew Herscowitz, CEO of the Mission 300 Accelerator, remarked that there are a lot of things happening on the energy sector in Sierra Leone. “You have got a better team now. There is the MCC compact and the Mission 300 Compact, numerous partners eager to support and the resources all of which will put Sierra Leone on a different pedestal.”

Said Herscowitz, “I remember when President Obama in his first year as president, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. And everybody said, how are you giving him the Nobel Peace Prize when he just started? And they said it was all the expectations of what he was going to achieve. So I'm awarding you the first Mission 300 Accelerator Prize, to you, Kandeh,” he said in jest as the statement elicited a loud and sustained applause in recognition of Chairman Yumkella’s efforts in the Energy Ministry under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio.

With its human capital and rich natural resources, Sierra Leone is well positioned to use investments in energy as a catalyst to unlock its potential and enable its people to thrive. Lite Salone represents a significant step by the Government of Sierra Leone and partners toward creating the environment for expanding electricity access, including for the furthest behind.

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