AGP Executive Report

Freetown Transport & Climate Resilience: Freetown’s $92.3m solar-powered cable car is technically and financially cleared, but construction is still stuck because Cabinet approval has not come through for over two years—despite the city’s hilly terrain and long commutes. Biodiversity Protection: Sierra Leone’s Environment Protection Agency (EPA), with UNEP support, is developing an implementation plan for NBSAP 3.0 to guide how the country protects biodiversity, cuts pollution, and mobilises funding under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Digital Governance for Sustainability: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation will showcase its “Open-Source Journey” at UNGA 81, aiming to reduce reliance on costly proprietary software and strengthen locally controlled digital public infrastructure. Electricity Access & Clean Energy: While the focus is Nigeria, the $5m All On investment into PowerGen mini-grids highlights a regional push for renewable power—targeting 6,000 connections and about 41,000 beneficiaries—relevant to Sierra Leone’s own energy and climate goals. Public Health Intelligence: Africa CDC and AU states, including Sierra Leone, are moving to harmonise Behavioural Intelligence and Infodemic Management to improve how countries respond to health misinformation and outbreaks. Human Trafficking & Border Risks: A new West Africa anti-trafficking push with France (covering Sierra Leone) targets network disruption and digital recruitment routes, linking migration pressures to exploitation risks.

Biodiversity & Conservation: Sierra Leone’s Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has wrapped a Freetown workshop to build an implementation plan for NBSAP 3.0, supported by UNEP and the NBSAP Accelerator, aiming to protect ecosystems, cut pollution, and mobilise funding for biodiversity commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Digital Governance: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation will showcase its “Sierra Leone’s Open-Source Journey” at UNGA 81, highlighting a move toward locally controlled, more secure and affordable digital public infrastructure after validating the country’s first Open-Source Software Policy. Urban Jobs & Climate Action: Freetown City Council reports its “Transform Freetown, Transforming Lives” programme (2024–2026) has generated 10,590 direct jobs and 5,945 indirect jobs, with climate action and heritage tourism among the focus areas. Health Capacity: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health celebrates full five-year accreditation for postgraduate Radiology training at USLTHC, expanding specialist imaging training in-country. Electric Mobility: Spiro and Yadea have partnered to scale accessible electric two-wheelers across Africa, with battery-swapping and local road-focused platforms—relevant to Sierra Leone’s push for cleaner transport. Human Trafficking Risk: A regional PROTECT project with France is being rolled out across Nigeria and West Africa, including Sierra Leone, to strengthen prevention and victim protection as traffickers increasingly use digital platforms.

Biodiversity & Conservation: Sierra Leone’s Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has wrapped up a two-day workshop in Freetown to build an implementation plan for the country’s third National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP 3.0), supported by UNEP, aiming to protect ecosystems, cut pollution, and mobilise financing. Digital Governance: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation will showcase its “Open-Source Journey” at UNGA 81, highlighting a move toward locally controlled, more secure and affordable digital public infrastructure. Healthcare Capacity: The Ministry of Health says the University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex has received full five-year accreditation for postgraduate Radiology training, expanding specialist education in-country. Waste & Public Health: UNEP and Nigeria’s environment ministry partners are pushing safer waste management frameworks across Africa, including Sierra Leone, with plans to better include and protect informal waste pickers. Climate & Resilience: A new review links climate extremes—especially floods—to rising mental health stress in West Africa, with Sierra Leone among the countries studied. Urban Jobs: Freetown City Council reports its “Transform Freetown, Transforming Lives” programme has created over 10,000 jobs and attracted about US$12.5m in external funding, with climate action among its pillars.

Digital Governance: Sierra Leone’s MoCTI will showcase its “Sierra Leone’s Open-Source Journey” at UNGA 81, highlighting a new Open-Source Software Policy aimed at more secure, affordable, locally controlled public digital systems. Urban Jobs & Climate Action: Freetown City Council’s “Transform Freetown, Transforming Lives” mid-term report (2024–2026) says the programme has created 10,590 direct jobs, 5,945 indirect jobs, and delivered climate action alongside heritage tourism, the digital economy and human capital. Biodiversity Protection: The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is developing an implementation plan for NBSAP 3.0 with UNEP support, to guide ecosystem protection, pollution reduction and biodiversity financing. Anti-Trafficking (Gulf of Guinea): NAPTIP and France’s Expertise France launched the PROTECT project across Nigeria, Benin, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Togo, targeting trafficking networks that increasingly recruit and exploit victims via digital platforms. Health & Sanitation: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health launched nationwide pest and disease control in public hospitals to cut healthcare-associated infections as part of the 300 Days of Activism campaign. Early Childhood Development: First Lady Fatima Bio launched an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Network to align early learning, nutrition, healthcare and caregiving across communities. Climate & Mental Health: A review finds climate extremes like floods and heat are linked to mental health harms in West Africa, with Sierra Leone included among the studied countries.

Urban Climate Jobs: Freetown City Council says its “Transform Freetown, Transforming Lives” programme (2024–2026) has created 10,590 direct jobs and 5,945 indirect jobs, with about SLE287.6m (US$12.5m) in external funding, reaching 161,565 residents through 50 interventions and 70 training sessions, with climate action listed as the biggest pathway. Biodiversity Protection: Sierra Leone’s Environment Protection Agency (EPA) held a Freetown workshop to build an implementation plan for NBSAP 3.0, aiming to guide biodiversity protection, pollution reduction, sustainable use, and financing under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Beach Erosion & Livelihoods: An opposition MP pressed for written guarantees for Cabbage Beach vendors after proposed erosion control works linked to the Four Seasons Ocean Club project; the Ministry of Tourism says fencing and pilings are temporary and meant for safety and beach protection. Health & Sanitation: The Health Ministry launched nationwide pest and disease control fumigation across public hospitals, deploying 124 trained officers to cut healthcare-associated infections as part of the “300 Days of Activism” campaign. Human Migration Risk: A commentary urges Sierra Leone and Guinea to look beyond border suspensions on the “Guinea route,” pointing to weak labour migration regulation and trafficking dangers, including child exploitation. Climate Extremes Mental Health: A review finds floods and other climate extremes are linked to anxiety, depression and distress in West Africa, with Sierra Leone among the countries studied.

Biodiversity & Ecosystems: Sierra Leone’s Environment Protection Agency (EPA) wrapped a Freetown workshop to map implementation for the third National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP 3.0), aiming to protect ecosystems, cut pollution, and mobilise financing under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Climate Extremes & Health: A new West Africa review links floods and extreme heat to rising mental health stress, with Sierra Leone among the countries showing evidence gaps that need urgent attention. Beach Erosion & Public Access: An MP pressed for written guarantees for Cabbage Beach vendors after proposed erosion control works tied to a new ocean club project; the Ministry says fencing and pilings are temporary and shouldn’t block public access. Hospital Sanitation: The Health Ministry launched a nationwide fumigation and pest control drive across public hospitals to reduce healthcare-associated infections, deploying newly trained officers nationwide. Human Trafficking & Borders: NAPTIP and Expertise France inaugurated the PROTECT anti-trafficking project across Nigeria and West Africa, including Sierra Leone, to strengthen prevention and victim protection. Migration Pressure: A commentary warns that Sierra Leone’s temporary suspension of overseas recruitment via the Guinea route must tackle deeper labour regulation failures and trafficking risks, not just travel restrictions. Urban Climate Action: Freetown City Council released its mid-term report highlighting climate action progress alongside jobs, training, and external funding. Skills & Jobs: MoPED advanced participatory chiefdom development planning in Sorogbema, stressing locally owned, income-generating projects. Fisheries & Ports: Sierra Leone and Ghana agreed to share port management lessons for a new $55m fishing industrial port project. Digital & Climate Tech: The Ready Salone project urged startups to apply for COME UP 2026 in Seoul, with eligibility including Climate Tech and Agritech. Extreme Weather Elsewhere: Reports from New England show how sudden, heavy rain can trigger severe flooding—an outside reminder of why Sierra Leone’s flood preparedness matters.

Climate Extremes & Health: A new review finds floods, droughts and extreme heat are taking a growing mental health toll in West Africa, with women and low-income communities hit hardest, and it flags big research gaps across the region including Sierra Leone. Hospital Sanitation: Sierra Leone’s Health Ministry launched a nationwide pest and disease control drive across public hospitals, deploying trained vector and pest control teams to cut healthcare-associated infections under the 300 Days of Activism campaign. Coastal Erosion & Livelihoods: An opposition MP is pushing for written guarantees for Cabbage Beach vendors as temporary fencing and pilings are planned to address severe beach erosion tied to a major tourism development. Biodiversity Protection: The new Conservation Trust Fund chair met NDMA to strengthen disaster risk reduction and biodiversity protection, including plans for biodiversity offset mapping in sensitive areas like Yawri Bay and the Sierra Leone River Estuary. Fisheries & Ports: Sierra Leone’s fisheries ministry studied Tema Port management in Ghana to guide its planned $55M fishing industrial port, while China-backed investment talks continue ahead of WAIIS 2026. City Climate Action: Freetown City Council released its mid-term report, highlighting progress in climate action alongside jobs, training, and external funding.

Hospital Infection Control: Sierra Leone’s Health Ministry launched a nationwide pest and disease fumigation drive across all public hospitals, deploying 124 trained vector and pest control officers to cut healthcare-associated infections under the 300 Days of Activism campaign. Urban Climate Action & Jobs: Freetown City Council Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr rolled out the “Transform Freetown, Transforming Lives” mid-term report (2024–2026), citing climate action as the biggest pathway, with major beneficiary and job figures plus external funding. Beach Erosion & Vendor Rights: An MP pressed for written guarantees for Cabbage Beach vendors as the Ministry of Tourism moves ahead with temporary fencing and pilings tied to erosion control for the Four Seasons Ocean Club project. Biodiversity Protection: The new Conservation Trust Fund chair met NDMA to strengthen disaster risk reduction and biodiversity protection, including plans for biodiversity offset mapping in sensitive areas like Yawri Bay and the Sierra Leone River Estuary. Skills for a Changing Economy: Sierra Leone outlined TVET reforms—upgrading technical institutes into community colleges and expanding apprenticeships and mobile training units—at a youth forum in Rabat, alongside a broader youth employment vision. Fisheries & Ports: Sierra Leone’s fisheries ministry studied Ghana’s Tema port management ahead of a new $55m fishing industrial port, while FAO coverage highlighted global moves toward greener, better-governed fisheries. Climate Extremes & Mental Health: A review warns that floods, droughts and extreme heat are worsening mental health across West Africa, with Sierra Leone among the countries studied.

Climate Extremes & Mental Health: A new West Africa review links floods, droughts and extreme heat to rising anxiety, depression and psychological distress, with women and low-income farming communities hit hardest, and Sierra Leone among the few countries with usable studies. Hospital Fumigation & Infection Control: Sierra Leone’s Health Ministry launched a nationwide pest and disease control drive across public hospitals, deploying trained vector-control teams to cut healthcare-associated infections as part of the 300 Days of Activism campaign. Beach Erosion & Vendor Access: An opposition MP pressed for written guarantees for Cabbage Beach vendors as planned erosion-control fencing and pilings tied to a tourism project are said to be temporary but could restrict access. Biodiversity Protection & Disaster Risk: The new Conservation Trust Fund chair met NDMA to strengthen data sharing and enforcement, including biodiversity offset mapping plans in sensitive areas like Yawri Bay and the Sierra Leone River Estuary. Youth Skills for a Changing Climate Economy: Sierra Leone outlined reforms to expand TVET, apprenticeships and community colleges, with a push into digital skills and the green economy to prepare young people for shifting labour demands. Fisheries & Port Learning: Sierra Leone’s fisheries ministry studied Ghana’s Tema port management ahead of a planned $55m fishing industrial port, aiming to apply lessons to Sierra Leone’s own development. Freetown Climate Action Progress: Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr released the “Transform Freetown, Transforming Lives” mid-term report, highlighting climate action projects, jobs created and external funding secured.

Fisheries & Ports: Sierra Leone’s Fisheries Minister Princess Dugba led a technical visit to Ghana’s Tema Port to study port management ahead of a $55m Chinese-backed fishing industrial port expected within two years. Climate & Health: A new West Africa review links floods, drought and extreme heat to rising mental health stress, with women, low-income communities and farmers hit hardest—Sierra Leone is among the few countries with studies. Freetown Climate Action: Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr launched the “Transform Freetown, Transforming Lives” mid-term report, highlighting climate action and jobs created through council projects. WAIIS 2026 Investment Push: China signalled support for Sierra Leone’s WAIIS 2026 drive, with talks on expanding Chinese private sector roles in energy, minerals, agribusiness and digital transformation. Biodiversity Protection: The new CTF executive chair met NDMA to strengthen biodiversity protection, including plans for biodiversity offset mapping in key protected areas. Youth Skills for a Greener Economy: Sierra Leone outlined TVET reforms—upgrading institutes into community colleges and expanding apprenticeships—plus youth employment plans at a Rabat forum. Extreme Heat Warning: Global data shows the hottest June-to-August on record for 1.3 billion people, underscoring worsening heat risks across regions.

Maternal Health & Nutrition: New research links anaemia to severe postpartum haemorrhage, spotlighting a potential supplement approach to cut pregnancy-related deaths, especially where aid is shrinking. Urban Climate Action: Freetown City Council Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr launched the “Transform Freetown, Transforming Lives” mid-term report (2024–2026), citing climate action progress alongside jobs, training, and external funding. Coastal Erosion & Public Access: An MP pressed for written guarantees for Cabbage Beach vendors as temporary fencing and pilings are planned to manage “severe beach erosion” tied to tourism development. Biodiversity Protection: Sierra Leone’s Conservation Trust Fund named a new executive chair and moved to strengthen biodiversity protection with plans for biodiversity offset mapping in key protected areas and tighter rules around construction. Skills for Resilience: IOM Sierra Leone began onboarding partners for a second EU-funded TVET cohort, aiming to boost practical skills for returnees and vulnerable youth. Youth & Green Economy Skills: Sierra Leone presented its youth employment vision in Rabat, stressing technical training, digital transformation, and the green economy. Disaster Risk & Inclusion: A study highlights how climate hazards can deepen barriers for people with disabilities—an urgent reminder for Sierra Leone’s disaster planning.

WAIIS 2026 Investment Push: Sierra Leone’s WAIIS 2026 preparations are gaining momentum after Chinese Ambassador Zhao Yong met Special Envoy Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, with talks focused on bringing in Chinese private sector firms for regional integration, industrialisation and sustainable development, alongside cooperation under PI-CREF for renewable energy and food security. Skills for a Changing Climate-Linked Economy: Sierra Leone used the Youth Knowledge Forum in Rabat to outline reforms expanding TVET into community colleges, apprenticeships and mobile training units, with a stronger push for digital transformation, AI, cybersecurity and green economy pathways for youth jobs. Beach Erosion, Public Access Tensions: Freetown’s Cabbage Beach vendors are asking for written guarantees after proposed erosion control works tied to the Four Seasons Ocean Club project, with the Ministry of Tourism saying fencing and pilings are temporary but access may be affected. Biodiversity Protection Gets a New Boss: The new CTF Executive Chairman met NDMA leadership to strengthen biodiversity protection and disaster risk reduction, including plans for biodiversity offset mapping in sensitive areas like Yawri Bay and the Sierra Leone River Estuary. EU-Funded TVET Rollout: IOM Sierra Leone began onboarding partners in Freetown and Makeni for the second cohort of EU-funded TVET training to support returnees and vulnerable youth with practical skills for reintegration.

Beach Erosion & Vendor Rights: An opposition MP says Cabbage Beach vendors need written guarantees after planned erosion control works for the Four Seasons Ocean Club Residences project could temporarily affect access; the Ministry of Tourism says fencing and pilings are temporary and for public safety. Water Protection: Sierra Leone’s National Water Resources Management Agency (NWRMA) is stepping up enforcement against unregistered or unpermitted raw water abstraction, with compliance visits to mining, farms, hotels and other users amid rising demand, pollution and climate pressure. Biodiversity Safeguards: The new Conservation Trust Fund chair met NDMA to strengthen disaster risk reduction and biodiversity protection, including plans for biodiversity offset mapping in sensitive areas like Yawri Bay and the Sierra Leone River Estuary. Skills for a Greener Economy: IOM Sierra Leone begins onboarding for a second EU-funded TVET cohort to train returnees and vulnerable youth with market-relevant skills for sustainable reintegration. Youth Employment & Green Skills: Sierra Leone outlined its youth employment vision in Rabat, stressing practical technical training, digital transformation, entrepreneurship and green economy pathways. Regional Investment for Sustainability: Sierra Leone prepares to host WAIIS 2026 (Nov 1–2) with a focus on energy, green industrialisation, minerals, agribusiness and digital transformation. Heat Records: A global report flags the hottest June–August on record for 1.3 billion people, underscoring the urgency of climate resilience planning.

Marine & Fisheries Governance: Sierra Leone-linked debate at FAO COFI spotlights how global value chains can improve fisheries when transparency and shared responsibility are built in. Youth Skills & Jobs: Sierra Leone used the Youth Knowledge Forum in Rabat to push technical training, digital transformation, entrepreneurship and green-economy skills for a changing labour market. Beach Erosion & Livelihoods: Freetown’s Cabbage Beach vendors are demanding written guarantees after proposed erosion control works tied to the Four Seasons Ocean Club plan temporary fencing and pilings that could affect access. Climate Heat Signals: New Copernicus-linked reporting says the hottest June–August on record hit 1.3 billion people, with extreme heat, drought and smoke impacts across multiple regions. Biodiversity Protection: The new CTF chairman says stronger collaboration with NDMA will back biodiversity protection, including offset mapping plans for sensitive areas like Yawri Bay and the Sierra Leone River Estuary. Water Security: NWRMA is stepping up enforcement against unregulated raw water abstraction, warning that pollution and climate pressures are increasing strain on surface and groundwater. Disaster Inclusion: A study highlights how climate hazards can deepen barriers for people with disabilities—an issue Sierra Leone is urged to plan for in early warning, evacuation and shelters. Ebola Preparedness: A report warns the DRC’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak could become a wider epidemic, stressing the difficulty of tracking fast-moving spread. WAIIS 2026 Investment Push: Sierra Leone and China discussed boosting private-sector participation in WAIIS 2026, with a focus on energy, green industrialisation, minerals, agribusiness and digital transformation.

Biodiversity Protection: Sierra Leone’s Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) has moved to tighten protection of environmentally sensitive areas, including plans for biodiversity offset mapping around Yawri Bay, the Western Area Peninsula and the Sierra Leone River Estuary, while warning it will not issue offset certificates for construction inside protected areas. Disaster Risk & Inclusion: A new study highlights how climate hazards can deepen barriers for people with disabilities, pointing to gaps in accessible early-warning systems, evacuation routes and shelters—an issue Sierra Leone faces as climate-related disasters intensify. Water Security: The National Water Resources Management Agency (NWRMA) is stepping up enforcement against unregulated water abstraction, running compliance visits to identify users without permits and to tackle pollution and rising demand pressures on surface and groundwater. Youth Skills for a Greener Economy: Sierra Leone says it is expanding technical institutes into community colleges, adding apprenticeships and mobile training units, and pushing competency-based training—aimed at jobs and sectors including the green economy. Climate Policy & Science: At UN climate talks, diplomats warn that climate science is under attack, with concerns that fossil-fuel interests are shaping a “polluted narrative” that could stall progress.

Alternative Bondo in Port Loko: In Mabalay, 55 women took part in “Bloodless Bondo,” keeping the songs and teachings but rejecting cutting and blood—an effort by AIM-SL to separate cultural rites from FGM. Disability and climate risk: A new study links climate disasters to deeper barriers for people with disabilities, echoing Sierra Leone’s challenges with inaccessible early warnings, evacuation routes, and shelters. Water protection push: NWRMA is stepping up compliance checks to curb unregulated raw water abstraction, targeting businesses and institutions without permits as pollution and climate pressures mount. Environmental rights on the ground: Green Scenery Sierra Leone held community engagement in Pujehun to boost legal literacy and collective protection for environmental rights defenders, focusing on land and environmental rights. Transport delivery priorities: Sierra Leone’s Transport Ministry outlined road, railway, aviation and maritime priorities at a Strategic Delivery Clinic, aiming to align projects with the Medium-Term National Development Plan. Regional investment drive: Sierra Leone will host the inaugural West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS) on 17–18 November in Lungi, with a focus on energy, green industrialisation, minerals, agribusiness and digital connectivity. Social welfare grants: The Ministry of Social Welfare disbursed Le300,000 welfare grants to 15 organisations in Freetown supporting vulnerable groups.