AGP Executive Report

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.

Youth Climate Action: Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has launched the third cohort of the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund 2.0, backing youth-led projects like tree planting, recycling and composting across Sierra Leone cities including Freetown, Kenema, Karene, Bombali, Pujehun, Bonthe, Kambia and Kailahun. Digital Education Push: Sierra Leone is scaling digital learning fast, adding 278 tech-enabled schools in six months and targeting 203 more to reach 751 nationwide, with a focus on local ownership and curriculum alignment. E-waste & Plastic Pollution: In Bo District, young innovators are turning electronic waste into solar lamps and later recycling plastics into backpacks, tackling pollution that harms farms and yields. Power Access Upgrade: A solar-plus-storage project, RESPITE, is reported as a major grid-connected step to lift electricity access from 16% toward 36%, amid long outages and heavy reliance on imported fuel. Public Finance Reform: The Ministry of Finance has started consultations to review Sierra Leone’s Public Financial Management Act, including climate finance and procurement, with a stakeholder meeting set for Aug 14. Aviation Safety Cooperation: BAGAIA is strengthening regional aircraft accident investigation capacity through board-level cooperation hosted in Abuja. Wildlife Conservation Lesson: A Sierra Leone-focused conservation piece highlights how protecting western chimpanzees can work when it links wildlife rules to local livelihoods.

Youth Jobs Gap: On International Youth Day, Sierra Leone’s 500,000 jobs pledge is being tested by reality: the Labour Congress says government alone can’t deliver at scale, pointing to private investment as the “sure bet” while noting the economy creates far fewer jobs than promised. Youth Skills & STEM Funding: Soroptimist El Centro’s STEAM WARS & BEYOND has won multi-year funding of over $100,000 and international recognition—an example of how local youth programmes can attract global support. Youth Competitions: Media personality Suad Baydoun launches a national debate and essay contest in Freetown (Aug 14 and Aug 21), with cash prizes and a free essay track focused on empowering youth for a sustainable future. Power Access Push: A solar-plus-storage project, RESPITE, says it will raise Sierra Leone’s grid access from 16% to 36%, aiming to cut long outages and reliance on costly imported fuel. E-waste & Plastic Pollution: In Bo District, young innovator Peter George is turning electronic waste into solar lamps and later recycling plastics into backpacks—linking livelihoods with cleaner communities. Wildlife Conservation Lesson: “Pa Willie” Tucker’s chimpanzee sanctuary work highlights how conservation lasts when it also supports nearby communities’ food and income. Public Finance Reform: The Ministry of Finance begins consultations to review the Public Financial Management Act, including climate finance and stronger oversight. Health & Outbreak Context: Congo’s Ebola death toll keeps rising fast, underscoring the pressure on health systems during outbreaks.

Energy Access & Power Resilience: A new solar-plus-battery project (RESPITE) is set to help Sierra Leone raise grid access from 16% to 36%, aiming to cut long outages and seasonal power shortfalls that currently push heavy reliance on imported fuel. Public Finance for Climate & Accountability: The Ministry of Finance has started consultations to review Sierra Leone’s Public Financial Management Act, 2016, with climate finance and stronger oversight on the agenda ahead of a stakeholder meeting on Aug. 14. Youth, Jobs & Food Systems: While Liberia leads a KOICA-backed US$1m “green jobs” rice-and-cassava programme, the same regional model is also being implemented in Sierra Leone—targeting youth employment and stronger agrifood value chains. Waste & Pollution Solutions: Young innovators in Bo are tackling electronic waste and plastic pollution by turning discarded materials into solar lamps and recycled plastic products. Wildlife & Conservation Lessons: A spotlight on chimpanzee conservation in Sierra Leone highlights how protecting wildlife works best when it also supports local livelihoods. Governance & Inclusion: President Bio urges Parliament to approve constitutional amendments, including a proposed 30% women’s quota in political nominations and proportional representation.

Power Access Push: Sungrow’s RESPITE solar-plus-storage project is now connected to Sierra Leone’s grid, aiming to lift electricity access from 16% to 36% and ease long outages blamed on a single 161kV line and seasonal hydropower drops. Health & Environment Risk: Nigeria’s Lassa fever death toll has reached 237 this year, with public health advice stressing clean surroundings and rodent control—an issue that also links to sanitation and waste management. PFM Reform: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Finance has started consultations to update the Public Financial Management Act, including climate finance and procurement rules, with a stakeholder meeting set for Aug 14. Wildlife Conservation: “Pa Willie” Tucker’s work at Tacugama shows how chimp protection can last when conservation is tied to community livelihoods and reduced hunting pressure. Regional Development Finance: EBID approved over $510m for West Africa, including transport, healthcare, and renewable energy projects—relevant for Sierra Leone’s wider climate and infrastructure goals. Energy Access Gap: New data estimates nearly 6 million Sierra Leoneans lacked electricity access in 2025, highlighting the scale of the challenge beyond Freetown. Youth & Waste Solutions: Young Sierra Leoneans are turning electronic waste and plastics into solar lamps and recycled products, tackling pollution while creating practical learning and income.

Floods in Freetown: Heavy rains battered Freetown, with NDMA reporting deaths, missing children, and widespread flooding—prompting renewed calls for safer drainage and faster emergency response. E-waste & plastic pollution: In Bo, young innovator Peter George is turning discarded electronics into solar lamps and later recycling plastics into backpacks, showing how local action can cut pollution at the source. Water resilience: Researchers are mapping Africa’s groundwater as a “hidden buffer” against drought swings, aiming to guide safer pumping and protect drinking water supplies. Electricity access gap: New data says nearly 6 million people in Sierra Leone lacked electricity access in 2025, underlining the urgency of clean, reliable power for schools and clinics. Digital public infrastructure: Sierra Leone’s DPI dialogue pushed a trusted legal identity at the core—linking identity, payments, and secure data exchange to expand services. Youth & skills: YAD/ITC/KOICA supported 80 graduates in advanced digital literacy in Kenema, strengthening pathways to jobs in Sierra Leone’s digital economy. Women in politics: President Bio urged Parliament to approve constitutional amendments, including a minimum 30% quota for women in political nominations. Development finance: EBID approved over $510m for West Africa, including transport, healthcare, and renewable energy projects across the region.