Completed Development AidData Chinese Aid

Chinese Government funds 0.64MW Makali Hydropower Plant in Tonkolili District (Linked to Record ID#22211 and #53053)

Funder	Unspecified Chinese Government Institution
Recipient Organization	Government of Sierra Leone
Country	Sierra Leone
Start Date	Jan 01, 2009
End Date	Mar 24, 2026
Duration	6,291 days
Number of Grantees	1
Roles	Recipient
Data Source	AidData Chinese Aid
Grant ID	`2258`

Grant Description

In May 2009, Reuters reported that the Chinese Government agreed to finance the construction of a mini (0.64MW) hydropower dam in Makali, Tonkolili District in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone. The size and nature of the Chinese Government’s financial commitment is unknown. Human Constructing Engineering Group was the contractor responsible for implementation.

The construction of the dam was expected to be completed over a three year period (with a completion date scheduled in 2012). However, the project was ultimately completed in November 2016. The Government of Sierra Leone officially commissioned the dam on December 12, 2017.

📋 Staff Comments

The 0.64MW Makali Hydropower Plant in Tonkolili District is one of 3 Chinese Government-financed hydropower projects that were being implemented in parallel. The other two are the 2MW Bankasoka Hydropower Plant in Port Loko District (captured via Project ID#53053) and the 2.2MW Charlotte Falls Mini Hydropower Project (captured via Project ID#22211).
In light of the small size of the project, AidData assumes for the time being that this project was funded with a Chinese Government grant rather than a loan. It is also notable that none of the Government of Sierra Leone's public debt records acknowledge receipt of a loan for the 0.64MW Makali Hydropower Plant. However, this issue warrants further investigation.

📚 Sources & References

中国水利水电建设工程咨询渤海公司组织援建塞拉利昂水电站项目工程考察工作圆满结束
Sierra Leone-2011
Ambassador Wu Peng Joins President Koroma to Commission Three Hydro Power Stations
National Emergency Profile of Sierra Leone
Hydropower Status Report
驻塞拉利昂大使吴鹏与塞科罗马总统出席援塞小水电站项目和输变电项目移交暨启用仪式
Makali Hydro Dam Community call on government for assistance
The Project of Two China-aided Hydropower Stations in Charlotte and Makalie,Sierra Leone
China to build two dams in Sierre Leone
Progress Report - Ministry of Energy 2014 -2017 Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.

All Grantees

Government of Sierra Leone

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