By United For Principal

Ministry of Energy, Freetown, Monday, July 1st 2025 – A promising conversation on sustainable energy for education took place yesterday at the Ministry of Energy when a delegation from Fourah Bay College (FBC), University of Sierra Leone, met with Dr. Kandeh Yumkella to discuss various issues including (1) capacity building and skills development in the renewable energy supply chain, (2) current power supply challenges and billing issues facing the university, and (3) to explore solar electrification for the historic university campus.

The delegation, led by Professor Kelleh Mansaray and comprised of senior lecturers and the registrar, appealed for support in transitioning the college to solar energy. Professor Mansaray emphasized that while the college has identified small hydro potential and some mechanical engineering students are already experimenting with small-scale electricity generation, a more robust and long-term solution like solar power is urgently needed.

“We have seen what President BIo has done in Moyamba and the new site for 1 MW at Njala University ,” Professor Mansaray said. “That is exactly the kind of intervention we hope can be replicated here at FBC. We also want our engineering faculty  to be a center of excellence for energy-related study and research"

Responding on behalf of President Bio, who is the substantive minister of energy,  Dr. Yumkella acknowledged the university's efforts to develop a curriculum for renewable energy solutions, and some of the practical projects being undertaken  by the enegineering faculty. He revealed that several energy initiatives are in the pipeline, including the World Bank DARES, the EU-Minigrids program and FCDO's hospital and schools solarization. All these programs will require qualified technicians for operations and maintenamce. 

“I am very impressed by what your students are doing already,” Dr. Yumkella said. “As part of our broader energy access strategy and on behalf of President Bio, we will do our best to mobilize development assistance for your  programs, and to ease your energy supply problems". 
 

This engagement underscores Sierra Leone’s broader push for energy sovereignty and a national transition toward more sustainable and independent power generation.  For Fourah Bay College, Africa’s oldest university, the move to solar power would not only ensure energy reliability but also position the institution as a leader in renewable energy innovation within the higher education sector.

The discussions mark an important first step. Both sides expressed optimism that with the right support, FBC could follow Njala University’s path and emerge as a model for solarized campuses across the country.