Across rural Africa, high electricity tariffs have long constrained economic growth, limiting productive use of energy and straining the viability of mini-grid operators. In Sierra Leone, these challenges were particularly acute businesses struggled to expand, households restricted their energy usage, and developers faced mounting financial pressure. This combination of low consumption and high operating costs created a cycle that held back rural development for years.
To break this cycle, the Government of Sierra Leone has adopted a groundbreaking Tariff Harmonization Framework for nationwide pilot implementation. The framework initially designed and led by Imam Akinlade during his tenure at CrossBoundary, in partnership with the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) is poised to reshape how rural electrification is financed and delivered across the continent.
The decision follows the success of a 12-month pilot that produced compelling results. Treatment sites experienced a 41% reduction in tariffs, which drove a 58% increase in Average Consumption Per User (ACPU), compared to only 6% growth in control sites. In locations with reliability above 40%, consumption rose even higher reaching 64% growth, illustrating how affordable, dependable energy directly enhances economic engagement and productivity.
Akinlade’s framework introduces a scientific, data-driven mechanism for tariff harmonization using smart green subsidies. The structure balances consumer affordability with attractive returns for private mini-grid developersan equation many countries have struggled to solve. By providing a clear financial model and structural blueprint, this initiative enabled Sierra Leone to transition from a promising pilot to a full-fledged national strategy.
“This framework strengthens energy affordability for rural communities while creating a sustainable investment model,” Akinlade noted. “Sierra Leone is now leading the way in showing how innovative tariff structures can unlock widespread electrification in underserved markets.”
With this policy adoption, Sierra Leone is positioned to become a continental example of how affordable, reliable electricity can stimulate small business growth, expand household energy access, and catalyze long-term economic development. The model offers a replicable roadmap for other African countries pursuing large-scale electrification at lower cost.
Imam Akinlade is a business strategy and energy innovation specialist known for designing data-driven frameworks that accelerate electrification in emerging markets. As a former Innovation Lead at CrossBoundary, he led high-impact projects across Africa focused on energy access, financial modeling, and market expansion. He is currently an MBA candidate at Harvard Business School.
