EducAid – Who they are and what they do

EducAid is a UK-registered charity and Sierra Leone registered-NGO that has been transforming education in Sierra Leone for 30 years. EducAid operates an educational network of free schools, school improvement initiatives, and research projects, all aimed at serving the diverse needs of local communities and enhancing education quality, social inclusion, gender equality, and community resilience.

EducAid’s vision is to create a democratic, dignified, and globally-engaged Sierra Leone, where poverty is eradicated through education. Currently collaborating with more than 300 partner schools across the country, EducAid is the go-to partner for Sierra Leonean education projects. Their work raises the standards of education for children and young people across Sierra Leone, working alongside communities to ensure successful outcomes that endure beyond the project’s lifespan. EducAid is currently part of the Sierra Leone Education Innovation Challenge (SLEIC), a national programme designed to increase literacy and numeracy outcomes for 134,000 children.

EducAid is committed to advancing environmental sustainability, climate education and reducing the use of non-renewable energy. Their goal is to equip all schools and training centres with solar panels and green practices by the end of 2025.

What NEF does with EducAid

In 2025, the NextEnergy Foundation is supporting EducAid’s “Sustainable Energy for Schools in Sierra Leone” project. The aim of this project is to provide a reliable and sustainable power supply across all of EducAid’s teaching and learning sites in Sierra Leone. This initiative will enhance energy efficiency and minimise power supply disruptions, thereby improving the learning experience for over 60,000 students.

This goal will be achieved through a combination of strategies:

• Installing solar panels and frames across all sites
• Providing generators to provide 24/7 electricity on all sites
• Rewiring and performing electrical maintenance across all sites
• Offering technical assistance for implementation

Within the broader EducAid project, in 2025 NextEnergy Foundation is supporting the installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar systems in three schools:

• Rolal (Port Loko): 4.5kWp PV system
• Maronka (Port Loko): 8.5kWp PV system
• Lumely (Freetown): 3kWp PV system

The main expected positive impacts of this project include:

• Benefitting a total of 820 students, with a proportion of girls ranging from 50 to 62%
• Achieving a 70% reduction in schools’ energy expenses
• Enabling an estimated 2,366,000 hours of study annually

July 2025 Update – The solar and generator installations across the three EducAid Sierra Leone sites—Lumley, Rolal, and Maronka—were successfully completed by the end of July 2025. Despite some weather-related challenges, including storm damage at the Rolal site, all systems were installed within the planned timeframe and are now fully operational.

The project has already begun to transform daily life at the schools and surrounding communities:

• Uninterrupted Electricity Access: All three sites now benefit from a stable and clean power supply, enabling consistent use of computer labs and lighting for evening study sessions
• Improved Learning Conditions: Students can now study after dark, access digital tools, and complete assignments without power interruptions. This has led to a more modern and sustainable learning environment
• Enhanced Safety: The installation of 24/7 security lighting has significantly improved safety for students, staff, and visitors
• Community Support: The schools now provide essential services to the wider community, such as water pumping and device charging, strengthening local relationships

Who Has Benefited:

• Students: 675 students across the three schools have directly benefited—271 in Lumley, 304 in Rolal, and 100 in Maronka
• Girls and Young Women: On average, 46% of student beneficiaries are female, with the highest proportion in Lumley (53%)
• Teachers and Staff: 151 EducAid staff have benefited from improved working conditions, and the project has enhanced the organization’s capacity to deliver teacher training
• Partner Schools: Through expanded training capabilities, the project indirectly supports over 120,000 students in partner schools
• Wider Community: More than 120,000 community members are benefiting from improved services and infrastructure.

Expected Long Term Positive Impacts:

• Extended Study Time: Over the 20-year lifespan of the solar systems, the project is expected to enable more than 67 million additional study hours across the three sites
• Environmental Benefits: The installations are projected to avoid over 113 tonnes of CO₂ emissions over their lifetime
• Cost Savings: Schools are saving approximately 78% annually on energy expenses, allowing funds to be redirected to food, learning materials, and maintenance.