Sierra Leone has always been a land of resilience—a nation that rises after every setback. From its turbulent past to its current struggles, the journey has never been smooth. But with the recent signing of a US$480 million compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a new chapter has opened—one filled with possibilities, challenges, and perhaps a bit of intrigue. This is not just a story of financial aid; it’s a tale of hope, ambition, and the ever-complicated dance between governance and development.
Let’s look back at how Sierra Leone arrived at this pivotal moment, and what lies ahead as the country embarks on its most ambitious partnership to date.
The year was 2008. Sierra Leone was still reeling from the aftermath of its brutal civil war. In came the MCC, a U.S. foreign aid agency with a promise of hope, but with one caveat: the country had to prove its commitment to democratic governance, anti-corruption, and economic freedom. Lofty goals for a country still licking its wounds, but there was a spark of optimism.
Under the leadership of President Ernest Bai Koroma, Sierra Leone took its first steps into the MCC’s rigorous selection process. The early years were tough. The nation struggled to meet the high standards set by the MCC, particularly in controlling corruption and ensuring democratic rights. But Sierra Leone didn’t give up. By 2013, the country had passed 12 out of 20 MCC indicators on the FY 13 scorecard and selected to develop a Compact, a breakthrough that signaled the beginning of a more hopeful era. But the road wasn’t paved with gold just yet. Corruption and weak governance continued to plague the nation, and the dream of a full compact seemed, at times, just out of reach.
As 2013 rolled into 2014, Sierra Leone found itself at a crossroads. The progress made was real, but so were the obstacles. Despite some successes—especially in public health and governance reforms—the APC government under Koroma struggled to sustain momentum. Corruption was still the monster lurking in the background, gnawing at Sierra Leone’s progress.
In 2015, the MCC offered the country a lifeline: a $44.4 million Threshold Program. It wasn’t the full compact Sierra Leone had hoped for, but it was a step in the right direction. The program was designed to tackle the most critical barriers to development, such as water management and public sector reform. But it became clear that without significant improvements in governance, the full compact would remain elusive.
And elusive it remained. Between 2014 and 2018, Sierra Leone’s progress stagnated, and the compact seemed like a distant dream.
Everything changed in 2018 when the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) took the reins of power. President Julius Maada Bio brought with him a sense of urgency, and for the first time in years, the MCC compact felt within reach. His administration launched bold reforms, including the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) initiative, aimed at empowering the next generation.
By 2020, Sierra Leone was on fire—in a good way. The country consistently passed 13 MCC indicators, including the crucial Control of Corruption indicator. This was the kind of progress the MCC wanted to see, and for three years in a row, Sierra Leone was eligible for the full compact. Bio’s administration was hailed as reformist, and the government’s commitment to governance and transparency appeared unwavering.
As the $450 million compact began to materialize, Bio and his administration were riding high. This was their golden ticket—a chance to fix the country’s ailing energy and water systems, two of the most significant constraints to development.
But then, the 2023 national elections happened.
Sierra Leone’s 2023 elections were supposed to be a celebration of democracy. Instead, they became a source of controversy. Allegations of voter manipulation, irregularities in the tabulation process, and civil liberties violations cast a long shadow over the election results. Suddenly, the same government that had been praised for its reforms was under fire for undermining democratic governance.
The MCC, which prides itself on its commitment to democratic principles, found itself in a tricky position. Could they still reward Sierra Leone with a $450 million compact, knowing there were serious questions about its commitment to free and fair elections?
In a surprising move, the MCC decided to move forward with the compact, despite the electoral controversies. Some saw this as a pragmatic decision, considering Sierra Leone’s need for infrastructure development. Others, however, couldn’t shake the feeling that something had been compromised.
The compact was signed, but the country was left with lingering questions about its democratic future.
So here we are—Sierra Leone, with a $450 million compact in hand, but facing an uphill battle to prove that it deserves the trust and responsibility that comes with it. The MCC compact is not a gift; it’s a challenge. It’s a call to action for Sierra Leone to not only address its infrastructural needs but to fix the cracks in its governance, democracy, and accountability.
The 2023 elections may be over, but the need for reform is glaring. Sierra Leone must address the concerns raised by international observers and its own citizens. Ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections is non-negotiable. The government must establish clear reforms for the 2028 elections, or risk losing the hard-won trust of the MCC and its international partners.
Corruption may not be the elephant in the room anymore—it’s a whole herd. While Sierra Leone has made strides in controlling corruption, more work remains. The Anti-Corruption Commission must continue to tackle high-level corruption cases and prove that no one is above the law. If Sierra Leone can clean up its governance act, the rewards of the MCC compact will go much further.
The people of Sierra Leone, especially civil society organizations, need to play an active role in ensuring the compact’s success. The government cannot afford to act in isolation. Civil society must monitor the use of funds, ensure transparency, and hold the government accountable. After all, the compact’s success depends on whether it delivers real change for everyday Sierra Leoneans.
At the heart of the compact is the critical energy sector. Sierra Leone’s energy crisis has been a long-standing barrier to development. With the compact, the country has a golden opportunity to revolutionize its energy grid – distribution and access, power sector reform and transmission backbone projects, especially in rural areas. But these projects must be executed with precision, transparency, and long-term vision.
The $450 million MCC compact represents both a lifeline and a test for Sierra Leone. It’s a test of whether the country can rise above its challenges—be they political, social, or economic—and deliver lasting change for its people.
The journey to this point has been anything but linear, filled with triumphs, setbacks, and a fair share of controversy. But now, Sierra Leone has a unique opportunity to rewrite its story. The future is unwritten, but one thing is clear: the success of the compact will depend on the country’s ability to embrace transparency, accountability, and above all, the needs of its people.
The compact has been signed. Now, the real work begins.