AGP Executive Report

ECOWAS Recruitment: ECOWAS has opened recruitment for qualified nationals across 12 member states, with vacancies in areas like health, finance, energy, legal affairs, agriculture, environment and natural resources—plus a warning that it charges no recruitment fees. School Feeding for Jobs and Farms: Sierra Leone’s Minister Chernor Bah says locally sourced school meals can boost learning while creating markets for farmers and jobs for youth, linking hunger directly to education outcomes. Community Health Expansion (EpiC): The U.S.-funded EpiC programme is strengthening outbreak-ready community healthcare in remote Sierra Leone districts, equipping workers to diagnose and treat malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea and improving zoonotic disease surveillance. Women’s Climate Justice: A Women’s Climate Assembly in Cameroon will unite women across West and Central Africa to push climate justice and reparations, focusing on land, forests, water and community-led solutions. SME Finance Push (ITC & Access Bank): ITC and Access Bank launched a three-year SME partnership across 14 countries including Sierra Leone, starting with a Ghana pilot to expand financing, market access and skills. Sierra Leone–Morocco Roadmap: Sierra Leone and Morocco agreed a structured roadmap to deepen cooperation on trade, agriculture, fertiliser, water management, fisheries, mining and capacity building. UNGA Climate & AI Talk: President Bio used the UN General Assembly to call for greater developing-country voice on AI and climate action, citing coastal risks in Sierra Leone.

UNGA81 Focus: Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio used the UN General Assembly stage to urge leaders to rethink priorities, arguing peace needs budgets for development and conflict prevention—not just military spending. School Feeding & Food Systems: Minister Chernor Bah pushed for school meals to be folded into Sierra Leone’s education and agriculture investments, linking hunger directly to learning and attendance. SME Finance for Trade: Access Bank and the International Trade Centre launched a 3-year SME push across 14 African countries (including Sierra Leone), starting with a Ghana pilot to improve access to finance, skills, and market entry. Health in Remote Communities: The US-funded EpiC programme is expanding community healthcare in Kailahun, Falaba and Pujehun, training health workers to diagnose and treat malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea, while strengthening zoonotic disease surveillance with wildlife health monitoring. Water Governance: West Africa opened key regional water governance talks in Abidjan, reviewing implementation of integrated water resources management across shared river basins. Climate Implementation Push: Kenya’s President Ruto convened Africa’s climate heads to drive COP31-ready implementation, with emphasis on adaptation, resilience, clean energy and climate finance. Zero Waste & Climate Habits: Turkish first lady Emine Erdoğan urged action on waste and consumption ahead of COP31, calling for everyday habit changes. Digital Safety & Governance: Sierra Leone’s regional push for cyber cooperation and secure digital systems highlights the need for cross-border coordination.

Urban Climate Action: Mayors at the 2026 U20 Summit in New York and Los Angeles pushed the message that cities are moving faster on climate resilience, extreme weather and local solutions. Peace, Youth and Misinformation: U TEAM SL launched the INSPIRE programme in Pujehun to counter misinformation, strengthen youth leadership and promote gender equality across six chiefdoms. Skills for Returnees: NAYCOM and IOM signed an agreement to expand TVET training for young returnees in Freetown and Makeni, funded by the EU. Coastal Risk and Climate Finance: President Bio used UNGA platforms to call for greater developing-country voice on AI and climate action, citing coastal vulnerability in Sierra Leone. Waste and Climate Habits: Türkiye’s first lady Emine Erdoğan urged curbing excessive consumption and waste, linking everyday habits to climate action ahead of COP31. Environment Compliance: Sierra Leone’s NRA sealed BBT Quarry in Cline Town over unpaid EIA licence fees, warning businesses to meet environmental obligations. Digital Child Safety: Sierra Leone’s First Lady is set to speak at a UN session on protecting children in digital environments. Bilateral Roadmap: Sierra Leone and Morocco agreed a structured roadmap covering water, fisheries, agriculture, fertiliser, mining and capacity building.

Coastal Cleanup Momentum: Sierra Leone’s environment community can take cues from Grand Bahama’s 40th International Coastal Cleanup, where growing volunteer numbers and a new cleanup site at the Freetown Heritage Site helped expand beach coverage to 11 locations, with organisers stressing proper waste disposal and local coordination. Bilateral Climate-Linked Cooperation: Sierra Leone and Morocco agreed a structured roadmap to deepen ties, prioritising areas like water management, fisheries, agriculture and fertiliser—key sectors for climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods. Budget Prep for Climate-Sensitive Sectors: Sierra Leone’s Finance Ministry has started FY2027 budget discussions with agencies, with Agriculture and Education among the first to present priorities, including inland valley swamp development and cultivation plans. Zero Waste and Climate Habits: At New York Climate Week, Turkish first lady Emine Erdoğan urged curbing excessive consumption and waste, linking climate action to everyday habit change and pushing Zero Waste ahead of COP31. Waste, Licensing and Enforcement: Sierra Leone’s NRA sealed BBT Quarry in Cline Town over unpaid EIA licence fees, a reminder that environmental compliance and accountability are tightening. Conservation Coordination: Sierra Leone’s Conservation Trust Fund met tourism and water regulators to improve inter-agency cooperation, revenue mobilisation and better alignment for wetland and marine ecosystem protection. Child Safety Online Meets Climate Diplomacy: Sierra Leone’s First Lady Fatima Maada Bio is set to speak at a UN session on protecting children in digital environments, alongside Zero Waste and climate crisis discussions.

Zero-Waste Diplomacy: Turkey’s first lady Emine Erdogan met Brazil’s Rosangela “Janja” da Silva and Sierra Leone’s First Lady Fatima Maada Bio in New York, focusing on shared environmental priorities and preparations for COP31. City Climate Action: Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr urged global cities to turn climate and resilience commitments into real action, highlighting early warning systems, extreme weather response, and inclusive planning at the U20 Mayors Summit. Conservation & Water Governance: Sierra Leone’s Conservation Trust Fund met the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs to improve inter-agency conservation delivery, while the National Water Resources Management Agency hosted CTF talks on joint revenue and harmonised rules for wetlands and marine ecosystems. Agrifood for Climate Resilience: Sierra Leone’s agriculture delegation joined Beijing’s WAFI2026 on “Green and Healthy Transformation of agrifood systems,” with plans to adapt digital extension and green value-chain ideas for IFAD-supported programmes. Mental Health Access: The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces commissioned a solar-powered mental health facility with tele-health and an ICT hub in Bo to expand care for personnel and surrounding communities. Youth, Jobs & Skills: Regional youth leaders called for more investment in health, education, skills and economic opportunities to support sustainable development and youth wellbeing.

Urban Climate Leadership: Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr used the 2026 U20 Mayors Summit in New York to urge global cities to turn climate and resilience commitments into real action, spotlighting early warning systems and inclusive planning. Disability & Disaster Risk: A new study links climate-related hazards to deeper inequality for people with disabilities, pointing to barriers like inaccessible warnings, evacuation routes, and shelters—an issue Sierra Leone faces too. Conservation & Water Governance: Sierra Leone’s Conservation Trust Fund met the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and also engaged NWRMA to strengthen coordination, revenue generation, and regulatory alignment for wetlands, marine ecosystems, and water protection. Agriculture for Climate Resilience: Sierra Leone’s agriculture delegation joined WAFI2026 in Beijing, sharing lessons on green and healthy agrifood systems, digital extension, and value chains to support climate resilience. Public Procurement Reform: The National Public Procurement Authority met the Islamic Development Bank to push Sierra Leone’s e-GP digital procurement, open data, and anti-corruption controls. People, Peace & Community: Sierra Leone’s National Peace Walk 2026 mobilised citizens across all 16 districts, reinforcing unity and cohesion amid rainfall disruptions.

Cocaine trafficking in West Africa: A new arrest at OR Tambo Airport highlights how West Africa is increasingly used as a cocaine transit route to Europe and America, with seizures rising sharply since 2019 and estimates putting the share of Western Europe-bound cocaine transiting the region at around 30% to one third. Conservation funding coordination: Sierra Leone’s Conservation Trust Fund is pushing closer collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, while NWRMA and CTF also plan joint revenue and tighter regulatory alignment to better protect wetlands and marine ecosystems. Agriculture for climate resilience: Sierra Leone’s agriculture delegation joined the World AgriFood Innovation conference in Beijing to learn how digital extension, farmer field schools and green value chains can strengthen food security and climate resilience. Waste management reforms: Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone are working on stronger waste management laws and coordination, including better integration of informal waste workers. Freetown transport and environment: The $92.3m solar-powered cable car project has cleared technical and environmental reviews but is still stuck awaiting Cabinet approval. Public health and financing: Africa CDC advances a harmonised behavioural intelligence and infodemic management framework, with Sierra Leone among participating countries.

Conservation & Tourism: Sierra Leone’s Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) met the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs to strengthen inter-agency conservation delivery, flagging overlaps and limited stakeholder engagement as key hurdles. Water & Ecosystems: NWRMA hosted CTF leaders to align regulations and explore joint revenue models to fund wetland protection and marine ecosystem management. Agriculture & Climate Resilience: Sierra Leone’s agriculture extension team joined the World AgriFood Innovation conference in Beijing, sharing lessons on green agrifood systems, digital extension and climate resilience for IFAD-supported programmes. Public Procurement Reform: Sierra Leone’s National Public Procurement Authority met the Islamic Development Bank to deepen e-GP digital procurement, open data, anti-corruption controls and SME participation. Waste Management Reform: Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone are moving to overhaul waste frameworks with stronger laws, better coordination and inclusion of informal waste workers. Electric Mobility Stalled: Freetown’s $92.3m solar-powered cable car project has cleared technical and environmental reviews but remains frozen at Cabinet approval. Biodiversity/Health Data Link: Africa CDC advanced a harmonised framework for behavioural intelligence and infodemic management, with Sierra Leone among participating countries. Community Livelihoods: ChildFund Sierra Leone and BMZ back a cassava value-chain project in Bombali, Koinadugu and Falaba to boost food security, incomes and child protection.

Water & Ecosystems: Sierra Leone’s National Water Resources Management Agency (NWRMA) met the Conservation Trust Fund to align regulations and set up joint revenue models to protect wetlands and marine ecosystems. Agriculture & Climate Resilience: The Ministry of Agriculture’s extension director represented Sierra Leone at the World AgriFood Innovation Conference in Beijing, highlighting “green and healthy” agrifood innovations for climate resilience and sustainable value chains. Finance for Resilience: The OPEC Fund approved US$645m for water security, resilient transport and economic reforms across 14 countries, with public and private financing components. Child Protection & Livelihoods: ChildFund Sierra Leone and Germany’s BMZ-backed project will strengthen cassava value chains in Bombali, Koinadugu and Falaba to boost food security, incomes and child protection. Mining & Sustainability: The Mines Ministry engaged Marampa Mines Ltd over financial challenges, discussing steps to sustain operations and keep the sector contributing to national development. Census Readiness: Stats SL completed nationwide mapping for Sierra Leone’s December 2026 digital population and housing census, improving coverage and planning for field enumeration. Public Procurement Reform: Sierra Leone’s NPPA met the Islamic Development Bank on deepening procurement reforms, including e-GP digitalization, open data and anti-corruption controls. Urban Transport: Freetown’s US$92.3m cable car project has cleared technical and financial reviews but is still stalled at Cabinet approval. Waste Management Reform: Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone are moving to overhaul waste frameworks with stronger laws, better coordination and inclusion of informal waste workers.

Mining Value-Add Push: Uganda’s mineral development minister says the country must move beyond exporting raw minerals to create jobs, processing capacity and sustainable wealth ahead of a major mining conference. Census Readiness: Stats SL has finished nationwide mapping for Sierra Leone’s first digital population and housing census, aiming to reduce missed areas and improve field planning. Waste Management Reform: Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone are working to strengthen waste laws and coordination, including bringing informal waste workers into safer, public-health-focused systems. Freetown Cable Car Stalls: Freetown’s $92.3m solar-linked cable car has cleared technical and financial checks but is stuck awaiting Cabinet approval for over two years. Procurement Overhaul: Sierra Leone’s NPPA met the Islamic Development Bank to deepen e-GP digital procurement, open data, anti-corruption controls and more inclusive, sustainable purchasing. Electricity Access Finance: All On backed PowerGen with $5m for renewable mini-grids in Nigeria, targeting 6,000 connections and 41,000 beneficiaries—relevant to regional clean power lessons. Health Financing Focus: ECA and partners are advancing a shift toward sustainable domestic health funding as aid declines and debt tightens. Transport Policy Approved: Cabinet cleared Sierra Leone’s 2026–2030 transport policy and strategic plan, including electric mobility and safer, more resilient transport. Climate-Linked Agriculture: Sierra Leone’s information minister admits cost-of-living pressure is shaping public views, while pointing to Feed Salone and climate-resilient farming support. Waste-to-Work Jobs Angle: VP Juldeh Jalloh urged Sierra Leone’s FY2027 budget to prioritize jobs and private-sector growth to build resilience.

Census Readiness: Statistics Sierra Leone says it has finished nationwide mapping ahead of the December 2026 Population and Housing Census, with UNFPA support and funding from Iceland and Ireland—aimed at ensuring households and structures aren’t missed and helping field teams plan better. Health Financing: The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Yemi Osinbajo are pushing a shift toward sustainable domestic health funding across Africa, warning that declining aid and rising debt are squeezing health systems. Aid Pressure: New figures say UK aid cuts under Keir Starmer hit the poorest countries hardest, with maternal health in Sierra Leone flagged as already under strain. Waste & Environment Governance: Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone are moving to strengthen waste management laws and coordination, including better integration of informal waste workers to protect public health and the environment. Freetown Transport & Clean Energy: Freetown’s $92.3m solar-powered cable car project has passed technical and environmental reviews but is still stuck awaiting Cabinet approval, threatening a long delay for a transport solution built for the city’s hilly terrain. Public Health Information: Africa CDC is advancing a harmonised framework for behavioural intelligence and infodemic management, with Sierra Leone among the countries involved. Procurement Reform: Sierra Leone’s NPPA met the Islamic Development Bank to deepen public procurement digitalisation via e-GP and improve transparency, anti-corruption controls, and capacity. Electricity Access (Regional): All On invested $5m to expand PowerGen’s renewable mini-grids in Nigeria, targeting thousands of connections—relevant to the wider West African push for cleaner, reliable power.

Urban & Climate Resilience: Jakarta’s governor heads to New York for the U20 Mayors Summit, with talks on housing affordability, climate change, air quality, coastal resilience, and waste management—topics Sierra Leone cities can learn from. Waste & Public Health: Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone are pushing waste management reforms with UNEP support, aiming to strengthen laws, coordinate institutions, and bring informal waste workers into safer systems that protect health and the environment. Transport & Clean Mobility: Freetown’s $92.3m solar-powered cable car is technically cleared but still stuck awaiting Cabinet approval, even as officials say it could cut long commutes and improve access. Digital Governance: Sierra Leone will showcase its open-source digital transformation agenda at UNGA 81, highlighting a move toward locally controlled, more sustainable public digital systems. Energy Access: While focused on Nigeria, All On’s $5m investment in PowerGen mini-grids signals regional momentum toward lower-carbon electricity—targeting thousands of connections and tens of thousands of beneficiaries. Environment Policy Link: Sierra Leone’s transport sector policy (2026–2030) now includes electric mobility and resilience goals, setting a framework for greener, safer movement.

Renewable Power Push: All On invested $5m in PowerGen to expand Nigeria’s renewable mini-grids, targeting up to 6,000 new electricity connections and about 41,000 beneficiaries with lower-carbon power. Waste Management Reform: Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone are moving to overhaul waste management frameworks with UNEP support, aiming for stronger laws, better coordination, and safer inclusion of informal waste workers. Freetown Transport Bottleneck: Freetown’s $92.3m solar-powered cable car is technically cleared but still stalled at Cabinet for over two years, despite plans to cut travel time and ease access between Government Wharf and Kissy. Climate-Linked Urban Jobs: Freetown City Council says its “Transform Freetown, Transforming Lives” programme has created 10,590 direct jobs and 5,945 indirect jobs while funding climate action, heritage tourism, and the digital economy. Digital Governance on the Global Stage: Sierra Leone’s open-source digital transformation agenda is set to be showcased at UNGA 81, following the country’s first Open-Source Software Policy. Public Health & Information: Africa CDC and partners are advancing a harmonised behavioural intelligence and infodemic management framework, with Sierra Leone among participating countries. Electric Mobility for the Green Transition: Spiro and Yadea signed a partnership to scale electric two-wheelers and battery-swapping across Africa, supporting a shift to affordable low-emission transport.

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.