What in the World

What’s causing the blackouts in Sierra Leone?


Listen Later

Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown and other cities have been suffering blackouts for weeks. It’s disrupted hospitals and daily life for many. Most of Freetown’s power comes from a Turkish ship floating off the country’s coast - and they’ve massively reduced electricity supply to the city because of unpaid bills. Karpowership is one of the world's biggest floating power plant operators, with several African states relying on it for electricity.

BBC journalist Chimezie UcheAgbo explains where Sierra Leone gets its power and what’s causing the blackout. Fatmata Gassim (19), an engineering student in Freetown, tells us how the blackout has affected her. We also hear about power outages in Ghana (from the BBC’s Favour Nunoo in his car) - and the rocketing cost of electricity in Nigeria. Irene Leigh (23) sends us a message about how her company, EasySolar, is helping people in Sierra Leone find alternative ways to get their power.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld

WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Emily Horler and Mora Morrison
Editor: Verity Wilde

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

What in the WorldBy BBC World Service

  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2

4.2

15 ratings


More shows like What in the World

View all
TED Talks Daily by TED

TED Talks Daily

11,034 Listeners

Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,595 Listeners

Business Daily by BBC World Service

Business Daily

524 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,803 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,750 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,042 Listeners

Learning English Vocabulary by BBC Radio

Learning English Vocabulary

513 Listeners

Learning English Stories by BBC Radio

Learning English Stories

378 Listeners

The Conversation by BBC World Service

The Conversation

71 Listeners

Learning English Grammar by BBC Radio

Learning English Grammar

312 Listeners

Learning English from the News by BBC Radio

Learning English from the News

248 Listeners

The Global Story by BBC World Service

The Global Story

332 Listeners

Learning English For Work by BBC News

Learning English For Work

46 Listeners

The Explanation by BBC World Service

The Explanation

25 Listeners

Learning Easy English by BBC

Learning Easy English

104 Listeners