By Shannon A. L. Scott
The Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) on Monday, 2 February 2026, formally welcomed Mr. George C. Taylor as its new Director General at a ceremony held at Electricity House, Percival Street, Freetown.

Welcoming Mr. Taylor, Chief Operating Officer Mr. Tesman Awo Egbe expressed appreciation to the Board, Ministry of Energy, and other stakeholders for the opportunity to serve in an acting capacity since May last year. He described the period as both challenging and productive, highlighting notable gains in network performance, improved revenue collection, and the generation of approximately Le 6 million through ongoing institutional reforms.

Board Chairman, Ing. Andrew Kailie, said EDSA is undergoing an inevitable reform process, including the planned Private Sector Participation (PSP), and noted that a change in leadership was necessary to steer the authority through this critical transition. He disclosed that Mr. Taylor emerged successful after a rigorous interview process, citing his over 40 years of experience in banking, finance, management, information and communications technology (ICT), and cybersecurity.

In his remarks, Mr. Taylor acknowledged the negative public perception surrounding EDSA but expressed confidence in the authority’s potential to improve. He emphasized the need to strengthen internal systems, enhance revenue collection, and operate EDSA strictly as a business entity.

“EDSA cannot continue to lose up to 50 percent of its revenue and remain sustainable. We must seal leakages, improve controls, and focus on results,” he said, adding that performance would be rewarded while inefficiency would be addressed.

Minister of Energy, Mr. Cyril Grant, described 2026 as a decisive year for EDSA, noting that the appointment of a new Director General comes at a critical moment in the authority’s reform journey. He said Mr. Taylor’s extensive experience in leading major transformation processes makes him well suited to reposition EDSA.

The Minister assured the new Director General of the full support of the Ministry, the Board, and senior management, and called on staff and stakeholders to cooperate fully in restoring public confidence, improving service delivery, and ensuring the financial sustainability of the authority.