SLEWRC Concludes Nationwide MYTO Community Engagement on Mini-Grid Tariffs
The Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (SLEWRC) has successfully concluded its nationwide Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) stakeholder engagement roadshow. The extensive public awareness campaign aimed to improve public understanding of electricity tariff-setting and boost consumer participation in the country’s rapidly expanding mini-grid sector.
The initiative was implemented under the Salone Off-Grid Renewable Energy Accelerator (SOGREA) Project. It was supported by the European Union and delivered in partnership with UNOPS, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), and PivotPath Limited.
The roadshow spanned five major regional headquarters: Moyamba, Koribondo, Kono, Makeni, and Foredugu, directly engaging approximately 229 stakeholders across 26 mini-grid communities. Through town hall meetings, radio discussions, multilingual awareness campaigns, and direct consultations, the Commission explained the MYTO framework, clarified the mini-grid tariff-setting process, and educated consumers on their rights and responsibilities.
The Deputy Director General of SLEWRC, Hon. Sama I. Sandy, noted that the exercise significantly improved public understanding of tariff regulation while strengthening trust in the Commission’s role as an independent regulator:
“Communities welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with regulators and service providers. They raised vital concerns regarding reliability, infrastructure, metering, and complaint resolution.”
Hon. Sandy highlighted a key finding from the tour: consumers expressed a clear willingness to pay approved tariffs, even if slightly higher, provided they receive reliable, high-quality electricity. He emphasized that sustainable mini-grid operations require a careful balance between consumer affordability and operator viability to ensure continued investment and reliable service.
Commending the initiative, the Deputy Minister of Energy II, Dr. Abdul Rahim Jalloh, praised SLEWRC and its partners for taking the MYTO framework directly to rural communities. He noted that while many consumers previously questioned how tariffs were determined, the roadshow successfully demonstrated that calculations are strictly evidence-based, driven by operational costs, and bound by regulatory oversight rather than arbitrary decisions.
Consumer and Public Affairs Manager Rebecca F. Ndoeka described transparency as the bedrock of effective regulation:
“The MYTO roadshow has successfully transformed a highly technical policy tool into a consumer-friendly resource, helping communities understand exactly how electricity prices are determined.” She added that the feedback gathered during these nationwide consultations will actively guide future regulatory enforcement, infrastructure planning, and policy decisions.
Key outcomes of the roadshow include increased public awareness of the MYTO framework, strengthened confidence in SLEWRC’s regulatory role, improved consumer feedback channels, and a broad consensus on the need for continued dialogue between communities, operators, and the Commission.
As SLEWRC prepares for future tariff adjustments, officials reaffirmed their commitment to keeping the process transparent, inclusive, and evidence-based. This initiative marks a major milestone toward building a more accountable, sustainable, and consumer-centered energy sector capable of expanding reliable electricity access across Sierra Leone.
