SLEWRC Concludes Nationwide Roadshow Popularizing New MYTO Framework for Mini-Grids
The Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (SLEWRC) has successfully concluded its nationwide community engagement roadshow to popularize the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) framework. The week-long community engagement, which ran from May 18th to May 23rd, 2026, across provincial convergence headquarters: Moyamba, Korinbondo (Bo District ), Kono, Makeni, and Foredugu, represents a landmark effort by the Commission’s current leadership to demystify mini-grid electricity pricing and introduce a highly transparent, predictable tool for calculating mini-grid tariffs. The roadshow served as a direct bridge between the regulator and rural mini-grid electricity consumers, ensuring that mini-grid users fully understand their rights, the tariff-setting process, and the mechanism designed to protect them from arbitrary pricing. The successful provincial engagement was the direct result of a meticulous, multi-stage MYTO communication strategy. Ahead of the roadshow community engagement, the Commission hosted a high-level technical press briefing at the SLEWRC headquarters in Freetown on May 15, 2026. During this pre-rollout engagement, Executive Management, led by Director-General Mr. Festus Kallay, briefed senior media practitioners and journalists on the technical functionalities of the MYTO tool. The briefing was designed to ensure accurate public reporting and to enlist national press partners as allies in promoting regulatory transparency. By establishing this strong foundation with the media, the Commission ensured that accurate information reached the public even before the teams hit the ground. Following the media launch, the SLEWRC team, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the European Union (EU), and PivotPath, traveled extensively across the country to engage directly with local authorities, mini-grid operators, and community members. The roadshow provided a platform for interactive town halls, question-and-answer sessions, radio discussion programs, and the distribution of simplified consumer education materials. By translating complex regulatory mandates into clear, accessible concepts, the Commission has empowered rural communities to actively monitor their electricity services and engage constructively with providers. This twin-track approach beginning with media validation and culminating in the MYTO tool public education and communication, underscores the Commission’s renewed commitment to proactive public engagement.
SLEWRC and PSRU Convene High-Level Stakeholder Engagement to Review Institutional Structures
*SLEWRC and PSRU Convene High-Level Stakeholder Engagement to Review Institutional Structures* In a strategic move to modernize its operations and enhance regulatory oversight, the Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC), in collaboration with the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU), recently concluded a three-day intensive stakeholder engagement. The high-level session, held from April 16th to April 18th, 2026, at the Occasion Resort in Lakka, focused on a comprehensive review of the Commission’s institutional and organizational structures. The initiative forms part of EWRC’s broader commitment under its current leadership to strengthen regulatory frameworks, optimize service delivery, and align its operations with the evolving socio-economic needs of Sierra Leone’s electricity and water sectors. Speaking at the engagement, the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Commission, Honorable P.K. Lansana (Ing.), described the exercise as a critical turning point for the regulator. “This engagement signals a significant milestone in the reformation of the Commission. Our goal is to rigorously review a wide range of operational layers, including our regulatory frameworks and governance structures, to ensure maximum efficiency and accountability,” Hon. Lansana stated. The collaborative review brought together key sector stakeholders, including representatives from the National Water Resources Management Agency (NWRMA). Highlighting the legal and operational necessity of the exercise, legal and regulatory experts at the event noted that the long-term success of utility regulation hinges on robust compliance mechanisms built through inter-agency cooperation. By restructuring and refining its internal structure, the EWRC aims to cultivate a more resilient, transparent, and predictable regulatory environment. This structural evolution is designed to safeguard consumer rights, incentivize sustainable private sector investment, and drive national growth in alignment with state development priorities.
SLEWRC Holds Handover as Festus Kallay Assumes Office as Director- General
SLEWRC Holds Handover as Festus Kallay Assumes Office as Director- General The Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (SLEWRC) held a formal leadership transition ceremony on Saturday, 15th November 2025, at its headquarters located at 55 Berwick Street, Freetown, as outgoing Director-General Dr. Emmanuel Mannah handed over to Festus Kallay. Dr. Mannah reflected on institutional growth achieved during his time in office, recalling that he began with five staff and a single office. He stated that under his leadership, SLEWRC expanded into a multi-department regulator with regional offices in Bo, Kenema and Makeni, established a compliance department, modernized its licensing system, developed 19 regulatory instruments, and produced the electricity and water Codes. He also highlighted the passage of the SLEWRC Act 2025 and reported revenue growth from approximately Nle 400.000 to about 4.5 Million Leones generated through levies, licences fees, penalties and government supports. Dr. Mannah urged continued attention on levy compliance and staff remuneration harmonization. Festus Kallay, a finance and administrative professional with more than 18 years experience in the public sectors, pledged to build on the foundations laid by his predecessor. In his first public statement as Director- General, Mr. Kallay said his immediate priorities will include operational efficiency, resource mobilization, strengthening ICT systems, and improving levy compliance to ensure the Commission’s sustainability and effectiveness. He emphasized transparency, accountability and improved service outcomes for consumers as guiding principles for the Commission’s work. The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr. Sao Kpato Hannah Max- Kyne, called for close collaboration between the Ministry, SLEWRC, and the advisory board to balance technical regulation with political guidance and to accelerate sector progress. Ing. Philip Karimu Lansana, representing the Board stressed that all entities producing water and electricity must be certified and comply with regulatory standards and pledged the Board’s full support to the new Director- General. Stakeholders at the event urged staff to remain united in advancing policy implementation, addressing challenges such as levy compliance, staff remuneration, and consolidating institutional gains. Both outgoing and incoming Director-Generals expressed gratitude to the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Board, Management, Staff, and development partners for their support. In conclusion, the handover signals a transition aimed at institutional consolidation and enhanced regulatory oversight as SLEWRC continues its mandate to ensure reliable, affordable, and safe electricity and water services for all Sierra Leoneans.