By Sierra Leone Embassy, United Arab Emirates
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Rashid Sesay, has called for increased investment in renewable energy to strengthen agricultural productivity and climate resilience.
Ambassador Sesay made the call while addressing the ongoing 32nd Meeting of the IRENA Council in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, 14 October 2026.
He described agriculture as the backbone of Sierra Leone’s economy, noting that it employs a significant proportion of the population and supports rural communities. However, he said limited access to affordable and reliable energy continues to constrain the sector’s potential.
The Ambassador said Sierra Leone had placed renewable energy at the centre of its agricultural transformation agenda, linking energy access to food security, rural development and climate adaptation.
He highlighted efforts to expand renewable energy-powered cold storage facilities for horticulture, fisheries and livestock, as well as solar mini-grids to support rice mills, cassava processing, water pumps and other agro-processing activities.
According to Ambassador Sesay, these initiatives are helping to reduce post-harvest losses, increase household incomes and stimulate rural businesses.
He also called for continued support from IRENA in preparing renewable energy projects and connecting eligible investments with potential partners through its Climate Investment Platform and Energy Transition Accelerator Financing Platform.
IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting its member countries, stating that the organisation remained an important platform for international cooperation despite challenges facing global collaboration.
IRENA has worked with Sierra Leone to expand energy access, including through the construction of a six-megawatt solar park in Newton, outside Freetown, which provides electricity to more than 15,000 people.
