AGP Executive Report

Heat and health risks: A new WHO/UNICEF assessment shows many West African health facilities still fail basic sanitation standards, with sanitation gaps tied to privacy, menstrual hygiene and access for people with limited mobility—raising the stakes for infection control as extreme heat and disease pressures grow. Water and sanitation trust-building: SALWACO is reviewing a 2026–2030 branding strategy to rebuild public confidence and improve how the utility is perceived and experienced by customers and partners. Power and climate resilience: Sungrow has commissioned Sierra Leone’s RESPITE solar-plus-storage project, a national-scale grid-connected milestone after nearly a decade, adding 35MWh of storage to support more reliable electricity. Climate action recognition: Sierra Leonean climate advocate Komrabai Dumbuya was named among the Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust’s 100 Young Leaders for 2026 for climate resilience and community development work. Environmental rights under pressure: Green Scenery launched a project to strengthen legal literacy and collective protection for environmental rights defenders facing intimidation linked to corporate land acquisition. Local waste cleanup: A garbage pile near Fourah Bay College on the Hillside bypass road was cleared after public outcry over flies and blocked movement. Gender equality push: Sierra Leone and the DRC reaffirmed commitments to strengthen cooperation on women’s rights, while Sierra Leone also launched a Gender Accountability Framework and its 2025 GEWE Act implementation report. Health system support: The Ministry of Health began local production of infection prevention supplies like liquid soap, hand sanitiser and detergent to reduce avoidable infections and maternal/child deaths. Regional climate finance: g7+ called for more practical, less bureaucratic climate finance for conflict- and post-conflict-affected states, citing Sierra Leone’s COP appeal.

Water & Sanitation: SALWACO is reviewing a new 2026–2030 branding strategy to rebuild public trust and improve how the utility is perceived and experienced by customers and partners. Environmental Justice & Civic Space: Green Scenery launches a 12-month project to strengthen legal literacy and collective protection for environmental rights defenders, responding to intimidation linked to corporate land acquisition and a defamation lawsuit. Urban Cleanliness: A major illegal dumpsite near Fourah Bay College has been cleared after public outcry over rubbish, flies, and blocked movement along the Hillside bypass road. Climate Action Recognition: Sierra Leone climate advocate Komrabai Dumbuya is named among the Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust’s 100 Young Leaders for 2026 for climate resilience and community development work. Health & Prevention: The Ministry of Health begins local production of infection prevention supplies—soap, hand sanitiser, and detergent—to cut avoidable infections and protect mothers and children. Power & Energy Access: Sungrow commissioned Sierra Leone’s RESPITE solar-plus-storage project, a national-scale grid-connected milestone backed by the World Bank. Gender & Accountability: Sierra Leone launches a Gender Accountability Framework and the 2025 GEWE Act implementation report with UN Women support, aiming to strengthen accountability for women’s and girls’ rights.

Power & Climate Resilience: Sungrow has commissioned Sierra Leone’s RESPITE solar-plus-storage project, the country’s first major national-scale grid-connected power generation in nearly a decade, adding 35MWh of storage to help tackle unreliable electricity. Environmental Justice & Land: Green Scenery launched a 12-month project to strengthen legal literacy and collective protection for environmental rights defenders, amid a defamation lawsuit tied to corporate land acquisition in Pujehun. Waste & Public Health: A large illegal dumpsite near Fourah Bay College has been cleared after public outcry over rubbish, flies, and blocked movement. Climate Leadership: Environmental advocate Komrabai Dumbuya was named among the Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust’s 2026 Young Leaders for climate action and community development. Gender & Accountability: Sierra Leone launched a Gender Accountability Framework and the 2025 annual report on implementing the GEWE Act 2022, backed by partners including UN Women and the World Bank. Youth & Skills: Freetown launched a third cohort of the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund, while a national debate competition advanced four universities to the grand final under a “sustainable future” theme. Migration Support: IOM and partners wrapped a regional working group focused on return, reintegration, psychosocial support, and protection for migrants in Northern Sierra Leone. Energy Access Context: Coverage also highlights Sierra Leone’s heavy reliance on a single transmission line and the concentration of electricity users in Freetown, underscoring why storage and generation matter.

Energy Access & Climate Resilience: Sungrow has commissioned Sierra Leone’s RESPITE solar-plus-storage project, the country’s first national-scale grid-connected power generation in nearly a decade, adding 35MWh of storage to help tackle unreliable electricity. Youth & Climate Action: Sierra Leonean climate advocate Komrabai Dumbuya was named among the Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust’s 100 Young Leaders for 2026, highlighting climate-resilient farming and deforestation-fighting work. Gender Accountability: The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, with UN Women, launched a Gender Accountability Framework and the 2025 GEWE Act implementation report, supported by the World Bank, Ireland and Iceland. Public Finance & Accountability: EU-funded training has equipped 46 Sierra Leone auditors with stronger report-writing skills to improve public-sector accountability. Migration Reintegration: IOM and partners wrapped up a regional push to strengthen return, reintegration and psychosocial support coordination in Northern Sierra Leone. Digital Diplomacy: UNDP provided technology hardware to Sierra Leone’s Foreign Service Academy to boost digital learning for future diplomats. Environment & Wildlife: A report says a key food source collapsed off West Africa’s coast as Chinese ships grounded the species into fishmeal, raising fresh concerns for marine life and livelihoods.

Humanitarian Safety: A World Humanitarian Day warning says violence against aid workers is rising fast, with children paying the price as food, health, safe spaces and education get disrupted. Ebola Response: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak is now the deadliest on record, with health workers facing unpaid wages and strikes that threaten surveillance and containment. Climate & Weather: Forecasters say El Niño and Saharan dust are helping keep Atlantic hurricane activity unusually quiet this season. Public Finance & Accountability: Sierra Leone’s Audit Service auditors complete EU-funded training to improve management letter report writing and strengthen public-sector accountability. Energy Costs: Sierra Leone tops an African comparison for residential electricity tariffs, pushing household bills higher in a cost-of-living squeeze. Migration Reintegration: IOM and partners wrap up a regional push in Northern Sierra Leone to strengthen support for returnees, reintegration, psychosocial care and protection. Governance & Budget: Government projects a tight 2027 budget envelope of NLe31.1bn, with limited capital spending. Youth & Skills: Freetown launches a Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund cohort, while ECOWAS training targets TVET capacity-building across the region. Debate for a Sustainable Future: Four universities qualify for the Suad Baydoun national debate final, with the theme focused on empowering youth to shape a sustainable future.

Protected Areas Enforcement: NPAA continues demolitions at Aberdeen Creek, a Ramsar-listed wetland in the Sierra Leone River Estuary, deploying an excavator and calling for more logistics to protect sensitive ecosystems. Nature-Based Food Security: MoECC and partners kick off a Global Environment Facility project under the Food System Resilience Programme, pushing nature-based approaches to help farmers and strengthen resilience under the Feed Salone agenda. Climate Risk & Finance: WAIFEM urges West African reserve managers to upgrade risk systems and prepare for climate-linked shocks during a regional course in Monrovia. Public Accountability: EU-funded training brings 46 Sierra Leone auditors together to improve management letter report writing and strengthen public-sector accountability. Health Emergency Spillover: DRC’s Ebola outbreak is reported as the deadliest on record, with response efforts strained by unpaid health workers and strikes. Energy Costs: Sierra Leone is flagged as having Africa’s highest residential electricity tariff, raising household pressure. Politics & Governance: SLPP’s Abdul Muniru challenges World Bank economic warnings amid ongoing debate on Sierra Leone’s fiscal pressures and debt sustainability.

Protected Areas Under Pressure: Sierra Leone’s National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) has continued demolishing structures at Aberdeen Creek, a Ramsar-listed wetland in the Sierra Leone River Estuary, deploying an excavator and working with police and military support to restore the ecosystem. Climate-Smart Farming Push: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has kicked off a Global Environment Facility (GEF) project under the Food System Resilience Programme, aiming to bring nature-based solutions to farmers and strengthen resilience in food systems. Climate Leadership Recognition: British High Commissioner Josephine Gauld presented the Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust 100 Young Leaders Award to Sierra Leonean climate advocate Komrabai Dumbuya for climate-smart agriculture and sustainable livelihoods work. Ebola Watch (Regional Risk): The DRC Ebola outbreak is reported as the deadliest in the country’s history, with WHO warning it could surpass the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic if spread continues. Energy Cost Concern: Sierra Leone is ranked as having the most expensive residential electricity tariff among African markets assessed, highlighting rising household pressure. Governance & Accountability: EU-funded training in Freetown has supported 46 Sierra Leone auditors to improve management letter report writing for stronger public-sector accountability.

Protected Areas Crackdown: Sierra Leone’s National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) continues demolitions at Aberdeen Creek, a Ramsar-listed wetland in the Sierra Leone River Estuary, using an excavator and support from military and police to remove structures seen as harmful and to restore the ecosystem. Climate-Smart Farming Support: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has kicked off a Global Environment Facility (GEF) project under the Food System Resilience Programme, aiming to bring nature-based solutions to farmers and strengthen resilient food systems. Energy Costs at Home: Sierra Leone tops an African comparison for residential electricity prices, with households paying about 22.8 US cents per kWh—pushing bills higher for families already under pressure. Public Accountability Training: EU-funded training in Freetown has equipped 46 Sierra Leone auditors with stronger report-writing skills to improve public-sector accountability. Health Emergency Watch: The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo is now the deadliest in the country’s history, with WHO warning it could surpass the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic if it keeps accelerating. Local Governance Push: VP Juldeh Jalloh begins a two-week regional tour to strengthen local governance and service delivery, holding consultations in Kenema, Bo, Makeni and Port Loko.

Ebola Update (DRC): Congo’s Ebola outbreak has become the deadliest in its history, with deaths rising to 2,325 and confirmed cases reaching 4,945 as the virus spreads faster than response teams can manage. Health Response (DRC): In eastern DRC, unpaid health workers have struck, temporarily shutting a treatment center and undermining surveillance and contact tracing. Protected Wetlands (Sierra Leone): Sierra Leone’s National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) continues demolitions at Aberdeen Creek, a Ramsar-listed Ramsar wetland in the Sierra Leone River Estuary, deploying an excavator with police and military support to stop harmful encroachment. Environment & Food Systems (Sierra Leone): The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has kicked off a Global Environment Facility project under the Food System Resilience Programme, pushing nature-based approaches to strengthen farmers and food security. Climate Action (Sierra Leone): Freetown has launched the third cohort of the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund 2.0, backing young people to deliver local climate solutions across multiple Sierra Leone cities. Energy Costs (Sierra Leone): Data shows Sierra Leone has Africa’s most expensive residential electricity tariff, putting extra pressure on households already facing rising living costs. Youth & Climate Recognition (Sierra Leone): Commonwealth officials have honoured Sierra Leonean climate advocate Komrabai Dumbuya for climate-smart agriculture and sustainable livelihoods work. Governance & Services (Sierra Leone): VP Juldeh Jalloh begins a two-week tour to strengthen local governance and service delivery, holding consultations in regional headquarters towns.

Protected Areas Enforcement: NPAA continues demolitions at Aberdeen Creek in the Sierra Leone River Estuary, a Ramsar wetland, using an excavator plus police and military support to stop harmful encroachment and restore the ecosystem. Climate Action for Youth: Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr launched Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund 2.0, backing youth-led projects on tree planting, recycling and composting across Sierra Leone’s participating cities. Nature-Based Food Resilience: MoECC and partners kick off a Global Environment Facility project under the Food System Resilience Programme, pushing nature-based approaches to strengthen farmers’ livelihoods and the Feed Salone agenda. Energy Costs at Home: Data shows Sierra Leone has Africa’s most expensive residential electricity tariff at 22.8 US cents per kWh, squeezing households already facing rising living costs. International Support Under Pressure: UK Aid cuts threaten Sierra Leone’s health gains, with steep drops in bilateral assistance raising concerns for maternal and child health and disease-control programmes. Climate Leadership Award: Commonwealth Trust 100 Young Leaders Award goes to Sierra Leonean climate advocate Komrabai Dumbuya for climate-smart agriculture and sustainable livelihoods work. Disaster Lessons Questioned: A renewed look at the August 14 mudslide tragedy asks whether Sierra Leone has truly learned—calling for stronger land-use enforcement, drainage, waste management and early warning.

Protected Areas Enforcement: NPAA has continued demolitions at Aberdeen Creek (Ramsar site) with an excavator, backed by police and military personnel, aiming to stop encroachment and restore the wetland ecosystem. Nature-Based Food Resilience: MoECC and partners have kicked off a Global Environment Facility project under the Food System Resilience Programme, pushing nature-based approaches to strengthen farmers’ livelihoods and food systems. Climate Youth Action: Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr launched Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund 2.0, backing youth-led solutions like recycling and composting across Sierra Leone’s participating cities. Youth & Local Governance Push: VP Juldeh Jalloh’s regional tour is engaging communities on service delivery and council-chiefdom coordination, while International Youth Day grants are funding 15 chiefdom youth councils for livelihood and digital initiatives. Mining & Environment Link: President Bio says gold exports surged in H1 2026, but stresses diversification and stronger oversight, including digital tracking for artisanal mining. Aid Pressure on Services: UK Aid cuts threaten steep reductions in bilateral support to Sierra Leone, raising concerns for health programmes and public services. Recognition for Climate-Smart Farming: Commonwealth Trust 100 Young Leaders Award goes to Komrabai Dumbuya for climate-smart agriculture and sustainable livelihoods work.

UK Aid Cuts: Britain plans to cut bilateral aid to Sierra Leone sharply, with projected drops from £16m (2025–26) to £9m (2026–27) and £5m (2027–28), raising alarms for health services and other public support. Climate Youth Recognition: Sierra Leonean climate advocate Komrabai Dumbuya received the Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust 100 Young Leaders Award for climate-smart agriculture and rural resilience work. Local Climate Action Funding: Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr launched the third cohort of the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund 2.0, backing youth-led solutions like tree planting, recycling and composting across Sierra Leonean cities. Protected Wetlands Crackdown: NPAA demolished structures at Aberdeen Creek in the Sierra Leone River Estuary, a Ramsar wetland, to stop encroachment in an environmentally sensitive area. Disaster Lessons, Again: A reflection on the 9th anniversary of the August 14 mudslide urges stronger land-use planning, drainage, waste management and early-warning systems as rainfall becomes less predictable. Digital Education Push: Sierra Leone is expanding tech-enabled schooling, launching 278 schools in six months and targeting 203 more to reach 751 by year-end. Youth Governance Grants: Fifteen chiefdom youth councils received EU-funded grants under YAGGS to run local livelihood, entrepreneurship and digital initiatives.

Disaster Risk & Climate Resilience: Nine years after the August 14 mudslide tragedy around Freetown, a new reflection asks whether Sierra Leone has truly learned—pointing to ongoing vulnerabilities like settlement in high-risk areas, weak drainage and waste management, poor land-use planning, limited preparedness, and the added pressure of more unpredictable rainfall. Youth-Led Climate Action: Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr launched the third cohort of the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund 2.0, backing young people (15–24) in cities including Freetown, Kenema, Karene, Bombali, Pujehun, Bonthe, Kambia and Kailahun to design local solutions such as tree planting, recycling and composting. Protected Areas Enforcement: The National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) continued demolitions at Aberdeen Creek in the Sierra Leone River Estuary, a Ramsar wetland, to stop encroachment and protect ecosystems and community livelihoods. Local Governance & Service Delivery: VP Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh kicked off a two-week regional tour to bring government closer to communities in Kenema, Bo, Makeni and Port Loko—aiming to improve coordination and public services. Youth Development Grants: Fifteen chiefdom youth councils received International Youth Day grants under the YAGGS project to run self-led livelihood, entrepreneurship, digital and community initiatives.

Protected Areas Enforcement: Sierra Leone’s National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) continued demolitions at Aberdeen Creek in Last Banking to stop encroachment in the Sierra Leone River Estuary Ramsar wetland, with police and armed forces support. Youth Climate Action: Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr launched the third cohort of the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund 2.0, backing youth-led projects on local climate solutions like tree planting, recycling and composting across Sierra Leonean cities. Digital Education for Resilience: Imagine Worldwide says Sierra Leone has launched 278 tech-enabled schools in six months and aims for 203 more by year-end to reach 751, with plans for locally owned platforms. Youth Grants for Local Governance: Fifteen chiefdom youth councils received EU-funded YAGGS grants to run self-led livelihood, entrepreneurship, digital and community initiatives. Mining and Environment Watch: President Bio reported a gold export surge (+410.6% in H1 2026) while warning diversification is urgent as diamonds and other minerals declined. Energy Access Context: A separate report notes nearly 6 million Sierra Leoneans still lack electricity access, underscoring the need for cleaner, more reliable power.

Protected Areas Enforcement: Sierra Leone’s National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) has demolished encroaching structures at Aberdeen Creek in Last Banking, a Ramsar-listed wetland in the Sierra Leone River Estuary, with support from police and the armed forces—aiming to safeguard ecosystems and coastal livelihoods. Youth Climate Action: Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr launched the third cohort of the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund 2.0 on International Youth Day, backing youth-led projects on tree planting, recycling and composting across participating Sierra Leone cities. Digital Education Push: Sierra Leone is scaling up digital learning, launching 278 tech-enabled schools in six months and targeting 203 more to reach 751, with plans to keep platforms locally owned. Energy Access & Resilience: A new solar-plus-storage grid project (RESPITE) is reported as connected to the national grid, aiming to lift electricity access from 16% to 36% and reduce dry-season power shocks. Waste & Plastic Pollution (Youth-led): Coverage highlights young Sierra Leoneans fighting electronic waste and plastic pollution through community action. Health & Environment Link: A Ministry of Finance review of the Public Financial Management Act is set to include climate finance—relevant for funding environmental and health priorities.

Youth Climate Action: Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr launched the third cohort of the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund 2.0, backing youth-led solutions like tree planting, recycling and composting across Sierra Leone’s participating cities. Community Health Access: Last Mile Health won the 2026 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize for expanding primary healthcare through community health workers in Sierra Leone and other countries. Mining & Environment: President Bio says gold exports surged over 400% in H1 2026, but diamond and mineral sands fell—highlighting the need to diversify and strengthen oversight, including digital tracking for artisanal mining. Power & Climate Resilience: Sierra Leone’s grid remains highly centralized and outage-prone, while a new solar-plus-storage project aims to raise electricity access and reduce reliance on costly imported fuel. Public Finance Governance: The Ministry of Finance has started consultations to review Sierra Leone’s Public Financial Management Act, with climate finance and procurement among the areas to be updated. Local Jobs Debate: Sierra Leone’s 500,000 jobs pledge faces pressure as labour leaders argue the private sector must drive large-scale employment. Wildlife Conservation: A Sierra Leone chimpanzee conservation spotlight underscores how protecting wildlife also depends on local livelihoods.