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TENN Joins the World in Celebrating Resilient WomenAs the world marks International Women’s Day, The Energy Nexus Networ...
08/03/2026

TENN Joins the World in Celebrating Resilient Women

As the world marks International Women’s Day, The Energy Nexus Network (TENN) proudly celebrates the strength, resilience, and contributions of women in our communities and around the world.

Today, 8 March 2026, we recognize the vital role women play in driving positive change and shaping a better future. Their dedication, sacrifice, and leadership continue to inspire progress in every sector of society.

TENN reaffirms its commitment to supporting and empowering women by creating safe spaces where they can share experiences, strengthen leadership, and continue making meaningful impact. 🌍💜



TENN Participates in the Close-Out Ceremony of the WYTEC Blue – Women and Youth Technical Capacity in the Ocean Economy ...
08/03/2026

TENN Participates in the Close-Out Ceremony of the WYTEC Blue – Women and Youth Technical Capacity in the Ocean Economy Programme

On March 7, 2026, The Energy Nexus Network (TENN) was honored to receive and accept an invitation to participate in the close-out ceremony of the WYTEC Blue – Women and Youth Technical Capacity in the Ocean Economy Programme, organized by GOAL Sierra Leone in partnership with DOTCAN Institute Canada and Partners Hubs.

The WYTEC Blue programme was launched to address the critical need for skilled professionals within the ocean economy. At a time when the sustainable use of ocean resources has become increasingly important, initiatives like this play a vital role in preparing women and young people with the knowledge and technical skills needed to actively participate in this growing sector.

As an organization working to promote sustainable energy access and resilient livelihoods through the CFI and JOA Projects, TENN recognizes the importance of building the capacity of women and youth in sectors connected to our natural resources. Programmes like WYTEC Blue complement these efforts by equipping young people with the skills and motivation needed to contribute to sustainable development within coastal and ocean-based economies.

During the ceremony, a representative from The Energy Nexus Network (TENN) joined other stakeholders in celebrating the achievements of the programme and presented certificates to participants in recognition of their successful completion of the training.

The event served not only as the official closure of the programme but also as a celebration—recognizing the commitment of the organizers, the dedication of the facilitators, and most importantly the determination of the young women and men who participated in the program.

Participants were encouraged to continue building on the knowledge and skills they have gained. The future of the ocean economy will depend on passionate and skilled professionals who are committed to innovation, sustainability, and the responsible management of our ocean resources.

TENN congratulates GOAL Sierra Leone, DOTCAN Institute Canada, Partners Hubs, and all participants of the WYTEC Blue Programme for their dedication to empowering women and youth and advancing the development of a sustainable blue economy.
Institute Canada
Restless Development World Bank Group International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) -endev World Food Programme CARE Save the Children US

Powering Communities: TENN Engages Kassirie and Kychom Stakeholders for the construction of an Integrated Energy Centre ...
07/03/2026

Powering Communities: TENN Engages Kassirie and Kychom Stakeholders for the construction of an Integrated Energy Centre (IEC) in Samu Chiefdom Kambia district

On 28 February 2026, The Energy Nexus Network (TENN) conducted a community engagement in Kassirie and Kychom communities, Kambia District, as part of ongoing efforts to advance the Blue Economy Project and support the development of the construction of an Integrated Energy Centre (IEC) in the area.

The visit focused on engaging key community stakeholders ahead of the construction of the centre. During the engagement, the TENN team met with the Paramount Chief (PC) of the chiefdom, the Chiefdom Speaker, and other community stakeholders to discuss the project and strengthen collaboration with the communities.

As part of the activity, Santmol Construction Company—the firm responsible for the construction—was officially introduced to the community leadership and stakeholders. The construction team also conducted an initial assessment of the proposed land for the establishment of the Integrated Energy Centre.

A symbolic turning of the soil ceremony was also carried out at the proposed site by TENN’s Chief of Operations *Dr Paul T. Yillia*, the Chiefdom Speaker Pa Alimamy, and key stakeholders of Kassirie community, marking the official commencement of preparations for the construction of the Integrated Energy Centre.

The Integrated Energy Centre will serve as a hub for productive energy use and small business activities, with a strong focus on empowering women, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and strengthening the local economy.

This engagement marks an important step in expanding the Blue Economy Project from Fogbo community in Western area to Kassirie and Kychom Kambia district, further supporting sustainable energy access, financial inclusion, and community-driven development in Kambia District and across Sierra Leone.


World Bank Group

Strengthening the Foundation for Sustainable Energy: TENN Hosts Partner Cross-Learning Session on Institutional Excellen...
03/03/2026

Strengthening the Foundation for Sustainable Energy: TENN Hosts Partner Cross-Learning Session on Institutional Excellence
FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE — As a regional knowledge and facilitation hub, The Energy Nexus Network (TENN) is dedicated to advancing decentralized renewable energy as a primary driver for sustainable development. However, for TENN to effectively scale its programmatic reach, it must first be anchored by robust internal systems and world-class staff competencies.
In a major step toward this goal, TENN recently concluded a comprehensive nine-module Organizational Capacity Development (OCD) training (Stakeholder engagement and accountability; Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting; Strategic planning and Implementation; Fundraising and Resource Mobilization; Risk management; Procurement systems; IT infrastructure and data security; Staff performance evaluation; Partnership development, advocacy, and visibility), delivered by Innovation SL. This intensive program was designed to diagnose institutional gaps and prioritize investments in governance, risk systems, and sustainable growth. To crown this journey, TENN hosted a high-level Partner Cross-Learning Session on Friday, 27th February 2026, at the TENN Office.
Collaboration for Institutional Growth
Supported by the Organizational Development Fund (ODF) through a partnership with GOAL Global and GOAL Sierra Leone, the cross-learning session served as a practical platform for peer exchange. TENN was joined by key institutional partners, including:
• GOAL Sierra Leone
• Restless Development Sierra Leone
• Conservation Society of Sierra Leone (CSSL)
The session was built on the philosophy that internal strength must match external credibility. By sharing practical tools and templates, the participating organizations fostered a results-oriented dialogue on how to move from mere compliance to active institutional learning.
Deep Dives into Core Excellence
The day was divided into specialized sessions focused on critical modules developed during TENN’s recent OCD training:
• Fundraising & Resource Mobilization: Discussions centered on transitioning from reactive fundraising to building a predictable donor pipeline and segmenting donor ecosystems.
• Partnerships, Advocacy & Visibility: Partners explored how to align visibility efforts with long-term strategy, ensuring that advocacy is about strategic positioning rather than just activity.
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting (MER): A shift toward "data-for-decision-making," focusing on learning loops rather than just reporting to donors.
• Procurement Systems: Focused on standardizing processes to ensure compliance and reduce fiduciary risk without slowing down vital field operations.

A Roadmap for the Future
The OCD training, which also covered Risk Management, IT Security, and Staff Performance, culminated in a "Strategic Alignment" capstone. This has provided TENN with a "Strategy-on-a-Page" (SOAP) and a consolidated Operational Toolkit to ensure these new systems are institutionalized.
“Strategy often fails at the point of ex*****on, not formulation,” the training report noted. By hosting this cross-learning session, TENN and its partners are ensuring that these new systems remain alive through a shared "management rhythm" and ongoing peer accountability.
As TENN continues to expand its reach, the lessons learned from this ODF-supported initiative will ensure the network remains a resilient, transparent, and high-performing catalyst for renewable energy in the region.
By standardizing our SOPs and aligning our daily operations with our long-term strategy, we are better positioned to advocate for decentralized renewable energy solutions across the region.
Special thanks to our partners for a results-driven dialogue! GOAL Restless Development the Children CARE

World NGO Day: TENN Stands in Solidarity with the Global NGO Movement The Energy Nexus Network (TENN) joined NGOs around...
27/02/2026

World NGO Day: TENN Stands in Solidarity with the Global NGO Movement

The Energy Nexus Network (TENN) joined NGOs around the world to mark World NGO Day, celebrating the resilience, dedication, and impact of civil society organizations in advancing human dignity and inclusive development. The day recognizes the compassionate and inspiring work NGOs do to reduce poverty, address inequality, and empower communities—often in the most challenging contexts.

In solidarity with the global NGO movement, TENN reaffirms its commitment to promoting the sustainable use of energy as a catalyst for social inclusion, economic opportunity, and climate resilience. Through community-led initiatives, partnerships, and innovative energy solutions, TENN works to expand access to clean, affordable energy while strengthening livelihoods and fostering equitable growth.

As NGOs continue to play a vital role in shaping a more just and sustainable world, TENN stands alongside partners and communities to amplify impact, share knowledge, and advocate for people-centered solutions—today and every day.




The Tatamoyean VSLA Group in Fogbo Community Holds First Share-Out CeremonyOn 13th February 2026, the Tatamoyean Village...
25/02/2026

The Tatamoyean VSLA Group in Fogbo Community Holds First Share-Out Ceremony

On 13th February 2026, the Tatamoyean Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) Group in Fogbo community successfully conducted its first share-out ceremony. Accumulative savings amount of Le87,500 was distributed among 30 members—2men and 28women, marking a significant milestone in the group’s savings and financial empowerment journey. The share-out was based on each member’s individual savings contribution.

In addition, members established a separate social savings account, with a collective contribution of Le8,000. This amount was shared equally among all members, further strengthening solidarity and mutual support within the group. Mr Ibrahim Kandoh Fofanah, chairman of the savings committee and a businessman received the highest amount with an accumulative amount of le9,300.

The VSLA initiative was implemented under the Blue Economy Project in partnership with GOAL Sierra Leone. A key objective of the project is to enhance the economic resilience of coastal communities through sustainable diversification, providing alternative income sources and employment opportunities. Beyond improving livelihoods, the project has significantly impacted the financial well-being of its beneficiaries by offering cash-based support, promoting alternative livelihoods, and delivering education on financial management and savings.

TENN extends heartfelt gratitude to its funders— Community Foundation Ireland and Sunflower Foundation. This achievement would not have been possible without their generous support and partnership



The Energy Nexus Network (TENN) has engaged a consultant agency to strengthen its internal systems and organizational ca...
20/02/2026

The Energy Nexus Network (TENN) has engaged a consultant agency to strengthen its internal systems and organizational capacity through targeted trainings and framework development.

TENN serves as a regional knowledge and facilitation hub, advancing decentralized renewable energy solutions as a catalyst for sustainable development. As the organization expands its programmatic reach and partnerships, enhancing internal systems, staff competencies, and organizational processes has become essential to ensuring effectiveness, accountability, and long‑term sustainability.

The organizational capacity‑building training began on February 16, 2026, and will conclude on February 25, 2026. This initiative is supported by the Organizational Development Fund (ODF), provided by GOAL Global in partnership with GOAL Sierra Leone. The training is being facilitated by Innovation SL. The training is expected to significantly strengthen TENN’s internal systems and reinforce its ability to deliver impactful outcomes. Restless Development GOAL

Sierra Leone’s agriculture sector is a critical lever for food security, employment, and value addition. However, it rem...
17/02/2026

Sierra Leone’s agriculture sector is a critical lever for food security, employment, and value addition. However, it remains constrained by several factors, including limited access to reliable and affordable energy, inadequate financing for farmers and agribusinesses, low levels of mechanization and irrigation, and insufficient food processing and storage infrastructure. Productive Use of Energy (PUE) solutions—such as solar-powered irrigation, processing, and cold storage—offer viable pathways to catalyze sustainable agribusiness and rural income growth.

Recognizing these challenges, The Energy Nexus Network (TENN) is empowering Sierra Leonean farmers by identifying potential partners in need of support. At Lungi, Port Loko District, the COME AND SEE Women Cooperative, managed by a local champion farmer, Mrs. Mary Mani, was among those selected to benefit from a pilot project implemented by TENN with financial and technical support from the Global SDG7 Hubs initiated by SELCO Foundation. The cooperative consists of 30 members (20 women and 10 men), many of whom previously faced financial instability and social inclusion. Some are widows, while others migrated from Liberia in search of livelihood opportunities in Sierra Leone.

Mrs. Mary Mani, a purpose-driven leader with years of service in Sierra Leone’s health sector, boldly shifted her focus from healthcare to farming to contribute to Sierra Leone’s ambitious feed Salone initiative. Her vision is to transform agriculture into an entrepreneurial opportunity rather than an ordinary subsistence activity through increased production and value addition. Inspired by this vision, TENN partnered with the cooperative to strengthen its operations.

In collaboration with the private sector, TENN recruited the services of a local EPC, Salone Solar to deployed renewable energy solutions, including a 1HP (750W) solar surface pump, solar modules (M15Wp for both the water pump and greenhouse) with battery storage, a hybrid inverter (12V, 1KW), and UV solar cables for irrigation and lighting for the farm house and greenhouse. With these installations, the cooperative significantly increased its vegetable production. Previously, they could only grow one crop of vegetables each year; now, with drip irrigation and the greenhouse, they can grow and harvests three to four crops annually. According to Mrs. Mary Mani, the cooperative financial growth surged from less than 2% per annum to more than 10%. This significant achievement is not only a milestone for the corporative but also for TENN and its partners. In addition, it is a major boost to Sierra Leone’s agriculture sector, with higher yields of tomatoes, cabbages, cucumbers, peppers, and other vegetables.

On 10 February 2026, TENN and IRENA, in partnership with PI-CREF, GIZ-Endev, and REASL, convened an Entrepreneurship Capacity Building Workshop on Productive Use of Energy for Agri-Food Value Chains in Sierra Leone. The COME AND SEE Women Cooperative participated actively. During the workshop, Mrs. Mary Mani highlighted transportation challenges, particularly the difficulty of moving vegetables from Lungi to market locations. She emphasized the urgent need for a cold storage trucks to support farmers.

The success of the cooperative has reinforced TENN’s vision and mission, demonstrating how renewable energy access can transform agriculture and empower rural communities in Sierra Leone.
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) -cref World Food Programme World Bank Group

The Energy Nexus Network (TENN) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in partnership with PI-CREF, GIZ-...
12/02/2026

The Energy Nexus Network (TENN) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in partnership with PI-CREF, GIZ-Endev and REASL, hosted the Entrepreneurship Capacity Building Workshop on Productive Use of Energy for Agri-Food Value Chains in Sierra Leone. The workshop brought together diverse stakeholders in the energy ecosystem—including farmers, entrepreneurs, vendors, and policymakers. Participation targets were set at 35 farmers, 35 entrepreneurs, and 30 policymakers. The training concluded on 12 February 2026.

On the third day, the workshop focused on engaging policymakers in the energy sector. Discussions centered on the challenges faced by farmers and entrepreneurs, many of which stem from existing energy policies. It was highlighted that rural farmers in Sierra Leone are disproportionately affected by these challenges. Policymakers were urged to consider regulatory adjustments to ease the burdens on entrepreneurs and improve access to sustainable energy solutions. The session also analyzed activities within the energy ecosystem and explored practical solutions to promote sustainability.

In line with these efforts, TENN reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sustainable development initiatives in the energy sector and across Sierra Leone.
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) GO GREEN SOLAR Women In Energy Sierra Leone Limited World Food Programme World Bank Group -endev

On February 11, 2026, The Energy Nexus Network and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) held Day 2 of their...
11/02/2026

On February 11, 2026, The Energy Nexus Network and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) held Day 2 of their training workshop for energy entrepreneurs, with a special focus on solar entrepreneurs in Sierra Leone. The workshop aimed to identify key challenges in the sector and explore sustainable solutions to improve the long-term viability of energy businesses.
During the session, many focused discussions were highlighted about Sierra Leone’s vast energy opportunities and strategies for strengthening entrepreneurs’ value propositions. Emphasis were made on the critical role energy plays in boosting agricultural productivity, particularly in farming communities.
The training on scalable Productive Use of Energy (PUE) also highlighted major market opportunities, including:

Irrigation

Cold chain and storage gaps

Processing and mechanization gaps

High demand from farmers and SMEs

Key takeaways from the workshop included:

Entrepreneurs should focus on customers and real market needs, rather than technology alone.

Energy businesses must develop sustainable, scalable, and bankable business models.

Questions were raised regarding the linkages needed between entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and customers. This sparked meaningful discussions on how solar entrepreneurs can position themselves for success and thrive within the broader energy ecosystem in Sierra Leone.
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) GO GREEN SOLAR World Food Programme World Bank Group GOAL

Day 2 of the ongoing workshop for entrepreneurs on the theme “Entrepreneurship Capacity Building Workshop on Productive ...
11/02/2026

Day 2 of the ongoing workshop for entrepreneurs on the theme “Entrepreneurship Capacity Building Workshop on Productive Use of Energy For Agri-Food Value Chains in Sierra Leone.” The workshop brings together Entrepreneurs from different renewable energy companies.
GO GREEN SOLAR Women In Energy Sierra Leone Limited

The Energy Nexus Network (TENN), in partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), conducts a three...
10/02/2026

The Energy Nexus Network (TENN), in partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), conducts a three-day workshop on the theme "Entrepreneurship Capacity Building Workshop on Productive Use of Energy for Agri-food Value Chains in Sierra Leone.” The aim of the workshop is to understand the challenges farmers and entrepreneurs face and provide solutions. The workshop aims to foster sustainable development by engaging with farmers and entrepreneurs, identify their needs, and shed light on their needs to policymakers.

On February 10, 2026, TENN kick-started the first day of the workshop by engaging with farmers from different parts of Sierra Leone. The Manager and Chief of Operations at TENN, Dr. Paul T. Yillia, made an opening statement by stating the purpose of the workshop. Mr. Babucarr Bittaye, a representative from IRENA, made a statement by stating his organization's focus on addressing the challenges people face in their businesses by laying more emphasis on how to finance a business and understand the business model capacity.

Furthermore, many challenges faced by farmers were discussed:

1. Insufficient electricity
2. Less preservation
3. Irrigation
4. Limited access to water supply

This workshop is an eye-opener to the issues local farmers faced.
SEND - SIERRA LEONE Restless Development World Bank Group World Food Programme Embassy of Iceland in Tokyo / 駐日アイスランド大使館

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