Salone Energy Forum is a youth-led platform combining policy, innovation, and leadership to transform Sierra Leone's energy future.
To drive sustainable energy development in Sierra Leone by combining policy, innovation, and youth leadership to create practical, scalable solutions.
A future where young people are active contributors in boardrooms, institutions, and governance structures, shaping equitable and sustainable energy systems for all Sierra Leoneans.
Energy access is essential for economic growth, education, healthcare, and overall quality of life. In Sierra Leone, limited and unequal access to electricity continues to restrict development and reinforce poverty.
Reliable energy enables businesses to operate efficiently, supports job creation, and attracts investment. In education, it allows students to study after dark and access digital learning tools. In healthcare, electricity is critical for lighting, refrigeration of vaccines, and operating life-saving equipment.
Despite its importance, energy poverty remains widespread. According to the World Bank, only about 35% of Sierra Leone's population had access to electricity in 2023, with rural access below 10%, highlighting a significant urban–rural divide.
See Our SolutionsSource: World Bank, 2023. Rural access figures based on available estimates.
We focus on bridging the gap between discussion and action through three core pillars.
We conduct in-depth research into Sierra Leone's energy sector, producing evidence-based analysis that informs national and international policy decisions and energy investment strategies.
We create platforms and opportunities that empower young Sierra Leoneans to engage directly with energy policy, research, and implementation at local, national, and global levels.
We go beyond dialogue by promoting and facilitating the practical adoption of sustainable energy solutions that deliver measurable, lasting impact for communities across Sierra Leone.
Salone Energy Forum was created to provide a platform where young people can move beyond conversation and actively contribute to solving energy challenges through research, collaboration, and innovation.
Recognising that Sierra Leone's energy challenges require the full engagement of its next generation of leaders, founders and members came together to build a structured, evidence-driven, and action-focused forum. We believe that young people possess the creativity, urgency, and drive needed to accelerate Sierra Leone's energy transition — and we are committed to being the platform that turns that potential into impact.
Whether you're a researcher, policy maker, student, or professional — there's a role for you in Sierra Leone's energy transformation.