Abu Dhabi, UAE, Monday 27th October 2025 – Rashid Sesay, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the UAE and Dean of the African Group of Ambassadors in the UAE, held a meeting with Ambassadors from Member States of the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) to review outcomes of the ‘APRA Investment Forum 2025,’ held from 22nd–23rd October in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital.
In his opening address at the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Abu Dhabi, Ambassador Sesay said that he had convened the meeting together with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) which serves as APRA’s secretariat, aimed to update diplomats on the successful APRA Forum. The forum featured high-level attendance including Sierra Leone’s President, H.E. Dr. Julius Maada Bio, senior officials, and representatives from APRA Member States.
Ambassador Sesay emphasized the importance of Ambassadors being well informed about APRA’s activities in their role as Permanent Representatives to IRENA and thanked colleagues for their participation.
Madam Safiatou Alzouma, IRENA’s Special Advisor on Energy Transition, Climate, and Green Industrialization in Africa, highlighted that eight of the ten APRA countries participated in the Freetown event with over 200 attendees. Thirteen renewable energy projects were pitched, totaling 1.1 gigawatts capacity and a combined budget of 2 billion USD. Additionally, 11 projects with a 450-megawatt capacity were showcased across member states.
Madam Alzouma praised the strong political commitment from Sierra Leone’s President and his adviser Hon. Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, noting the event’s successful technical sessions and the powerful declaration issued at the close. She encouraged African nations to uphold APRA as an African-led initiative.
Other attendees included Ambassadors and representatives from Djibouti, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Ghana who contributed valuable insights toward APRA’s growth.
APRA, launched at COP-28 in Dubai in 2023, is an alliance aimed at accelerating Africa’s renewable energy transition, fostering green industrialization, mobilizing investment, and providing technical support. Member countries include Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
The partnership receives support from Denmark, Germany, Japan, the UAE, and the USA, with IRENA as its secretariat and with a dedicated UNOPS office providing implementation support.
This converged diplomatic effort reflects a shared ambition to unlock Africa’s renewable energy potential and to stimulate inclusive economic development.
This collaborative diplomatic initiative aligns closely with the mission of the United Diplomatic Council (UDC), which is dedicated to fostering international partnerships that accelerate sustainable development and economic resilience. UDC actively supports efforts that unlock Africa’s renewable energy potential by facilitating dialogue, capacity building, and investment mobilization across regions.
About The Author
