Infinitum Energy Group Unveils $200M Waste-to-Energy Project
By John Kelly Marah
In a landmark press engagement, key stakeholders from Infinitum Energy Group (IEG), along with international partners, laid out a bold vision for Sierra Leone’s clean energy future through a $200 million waste-to-energy infrastructure project that promises to generate 30 megawatts of baseload power while managing 1,000 tons of municipal solid waste daily.
According to Dr. Yassin Kargbo, Country Director of Infinitum Energy Group Waste, the company began operations in 2018 with a vision to provide sustainable, and reliable electricity to Sierra Leone.
“This company came to produce electricity. But unlike others, we face serious challenges—dirty environments, limited infrastructure, and roadblocks in execution. Still, we pushed forward,” he said. He emphasized the project’s alignment with climate goals.
“Climate change is real. Even in Makeni, floods are rising to people’s necks. This is not theory—it’s our daily reality. That’s why this project matters.”
IEG aims not only to power the country but to empower its people:
“We want to create jobs, boost development, and ease the burden on government. If people are working, they will stop blaming the system. International companies must be partners in solving national challenges,” Dr. Kargbo added.
He also highlighted that the project has the full endorsement of His Excellency the President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, who first engaged IEG leadership in 2022 during a meeting in New York. Key ministries and government officials, including Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, were tasked with ensuring the project’s success. Despite the political will, the project has faced administrative and institutional obstacles.
“We’ve submitted all the necessary documents, including the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), but some quarters are putting up roadblocks. This project isn’t for us—it’s for the people. Sierra Leone only has about 60 megawatts of capacity. We need at least ten times more to develop,” Dr. Kargbo emphasized.
It Is About Partnership
Jonathan Rubin, Stakeholder Engagement and Community Development Strategist at Infinitum Energy Group, further elaborated on the project’s scope:
“We believe climate change hits the most vulnerable communities first. This $200 million project is designed to directly address the overflow of garbage in Freetown and transform it into clean energy. We will create 6,000 jobs and uplift communities—including plastic pickers and market women—by integrating them into a formal waste economy,”
Rubin stated.
“We want to work with government, civil society, and the people. Everyone has a role to play in building a cleaner, greener Sierra Leone.”
Building a Waste Ecosystem
Kyle Newell, speaking on behalf of Impact Pathways, a sustainability consultancy working alongside IEG, shared insights from global waste-to-energy projects:
“Our goal is to help Sierra Leone build a functioning waste ecosystem that brings economic, environmental, and public health benefits. We’ve seen this model work in countries like Rwanda, Colombia, South Africa, and Indonesia—not by copying a template, but by crafting local solutions,” he said.
Newell emphasized that the success of waste-to-energy systems depends on blended financing and structured support for waste services:
“Less than 10% of waste globally has direct market value. That’s why it’s essential to combine electricity revenues with support for waste collection and processing to ensure affordability and sustainability,” he noted.
He pointed out that Sierra Leone has a unique opportunity to lead in Africa by building a model that fits its people and context.
A Call to Action
In closing, Dr. Kargbo called on government leaders, donors, and development partners to support the project.
“We’ve walked this far, but we can’t go further alone. This isn’t just an energy project—it’s a national opportunity. Let’s stop sidelining those with experience. Let’s work together—for jobs, for health, for the future.” Dr. Kargbo appealed.
The Infinitum Energy Group initiative is poised to be a turning point in Sierra Leone’s infrastructure landscape, offering more than just power—it offers a path to resilience, dignity, and progress.
