Opportunity - SOGREA Initiative Opens Call for Private Sector Developers to Fast-Track Rural Electrification in Sierra Leone
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Freetown, 26 January 2026: The Salone Off-Grid Renewable Energy Acceleration (SOGREA) Initiative today launched its first Call for Pre-Qualification Applications, inviting private sector companies to develop and upgrade green mini-grids in rural communities across Sierra Leone. The call marks a major step forward in accelerating universal energy access while unlocking new opportunities for renewable energy investors and developers.
Delivered in partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone, SOGREA aims to crowd in private capital to expand clean, reliable electricity to underserved communities, strengthening local economies and supporting climate-resilient development. The announcement was made during a live-streamed event hosted by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) marking the International Day of Clean Energy.
The SOGREA is funded by the European Union and the Government of Denmark and totals EUR 24 million in catalytic funding. The three-year programme is designed to reduce investment risk and boost the commercial viability of rural electrification in Sierra Leone. The initiative provides performance-based capital support to cover a portion of upfront development costs for green mini-grids, with payments released against independently verified milestones.
By bridging the gap between the true cost of electricity supply and what rural households and businesses can afford, SOGREA helps lower tariffs while expanding connections. The approach builds on Sierra Leone’s recent mini-grid sector reforms, including progressive regulation and transparent tariff-setting mechanisms that provide long-term certainty for investors.
The Call for Pre-Qualification Applications is open to eligible applicants, who are licensed, for-profit mini-grid developers registered to operate in Sierra Leone, with proven experience operating green mini-grids in Sub-Saharan Africa, the capacity to deliver new projects within 12 months, smart-meter integration capability, compliance with UEF requirements and at least 30% female representation across administrative and operational roles. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with Pre-Qualification submissions closing on 9 March 2026. Successfully pre-qualified companies will be invited to submit site-specific proposals for development of new or upgrade of already existing green mini-grid projects. Funding decisions will be made on a first-come, first-served basis until available resources are fully allocated.
This performance-based capital support reflects the EU and Denmark’s commitment to advancing clean energy access, sustainable investment and climate action in Africa. The initiative is implemented by UNOPS, with its host entity Sustainable Energy for All, in close partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone.
For application guidelines, eligibility criteria, and submission details, please visit the SOGREA webpage: http://www.universalenergyfacility.org/programme/sogrea or contact us via: UEF@seforall.org.
