AGP Executive Report

Women in Politics Push: ECOWAS and West African leaders set a 2035 deadline for gender parity in political leadership, backing an “Abuja Action Agenda” to tackle legal, financial and institutional barriers. Cybersecurity Watch: Sierra Leone’s NatCA says it’s monitoring ongoing cyber incidents and urges the public to use multi-factor authentication, protect passwords, verify links, and report suspicious activity. Ebola Alert (DRC): The DRC Ebola outbreak has surged to become the second-largest on record, with gaps in contact tracing and containment tools adding pressure on health systems. Power for Resilience: Sierra Leone has switched on a World Bank-backed solar-plus-storage project under RESPITE, aiming to cut long grid outages and raise national electricity access. Mangrove Recovery: Wetlands International launched Mangrove Capital Africa Phase IV in Freetown to restore coastal wetlands across Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, with community-led restoration and regional monitoring. Local Climate Land-Use: SLURC is co-designing climate-resilient land-use plans with Pamoronko residents to reduce urban vulnerability and improve inclusion. Health Systems Strengthening: Government launched Sierra Leone’s first Advanced Field Epidemiology Training Programme to boost outbreak investigation and emergency response capacity. Diplomacy & Energy Ties: Sierra Leone’s leaders continue regional engagement, including preparations around Gabon’s state visit and renewed focus on energy cooperation across Africa.

Health Security: Sierra Leone launched its first Advanced Field Epidemiology Training Programme (Advanced FETP), aiming to build a stronger disease surveillance and outbreak response workforce for emerging and re-emerging threats. Gender & Harmful Practices: Sierra Leone is developing a national operationalisation plan to implement the African Union Accountability Framework to end FGM and child, early and forced marriage, with UNFPA and partners supporting monitoring and institutional accountability. Climate & Coastal Resilience: Wetlands International launched Mangrove Capital Africa Phase IV in Freetown, pushing mangrove restoration across Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone and strengthening cross-border wetland protection. Urban Climate Risk: SLURC is co-designing climate-resilient land-use planning with residents of Pamoronko, bringing informal settlements into decisions that affect vulnerability and livelihoods. Governance & Land: Preparations for Sierra Leone’s 2026 National Paramount Chiefs Conference will tackle revenue, land governance, conflict prevention and environmental sustainability. Public Data Readiness: International monitors observed a mock population and housing census in Kenema to test field procedures ahead of the December 2026 enumeration. Women’s Political Leadership: Sierra Leone’s Gender Minister and ECOWAS leaders are calling for stronger women’s participation in decision-making across West Africa.

Mangrove Recovery: Wetlands International launches Mangrove Capital Africa Phase IV in Freetown, aiming to restore coastal wetlands across Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone and strengthen a regional mangrove corridor. Climate-Resilient Land Use: Pamoronko residents back SLURC co-design work to shape inclusive land-use reforms that tackle climate risks in informal settlements. Coastal Planning Debate: A public consultation on the proposed Blu Cay marina highlights fears of worsening congestion and parking problems near Potter’s Cay, with vendors pushing for better transport planning. Health & Care Gaps: A Sierra Leone-focused study discusses why pre-eclampsia care is still failing—late diagnosis, shortages of magnesium sulfate, limited monitoring and staffing gaps. Maternal Health Financing: UNFPA says maternal mortality won’t fall without fixing health system weaknesses, inequality and underfunding, pointing to Sierra Leone’s progress as proof of what works. Census Readiness: International monitors observe Sierra Leone’s mock census in Kenema to test tools and field procedures ahead of the December 2026 enumeration. Governance & Local Security: Sierra Leone prepares for the first National Paramount Chiefs Conference in Bo, with land governance, conflict prevention and environmental management on the agenda. Women’s Leadership Push: ECOWAS unveils a regional plan to expand women’s political leadership, building on a declaration adopted in Freetown. Energy Transition Watch: Africa’s gas producers are shifting toward using gas for domestic power and industry alongside LNG exports, shaping the next investment cycle. Visa Operations: The US will stop routine visa processing at 25 African posts from August 1, redirecting applicants to regional hubs, including Freetown.

Mangroves & Coastal Resilience: Wetlands International has launched Mangrove Capital Africa Phase IV in Freetown, pushing a regional mangrove corridor across Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone to restore degraded coastal wetlands and protect livelihoods. Local Governance & Land: Residents of Pamoronko welcomed SLURC’s co-design workshop to bring informal settlements into climate-resilient land-use planning, aiming to cut vulnerability through better governance and practical solutions. Census Readiness: International monitors observed Sierra Leone’s mock population and housing census in Kenema, checking field procedures and tools ahead of the December 2026 enumeration. Women, Climate & Conflict: First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio has departed for Angola to join a continental campaign focused on strengthening resilience for women and girls amid climate and conflict pressures. Traditional Leadership Conference: Government announced the first National Paramount Chiefs Conference (30 July–1 August 2026) in Bo, with discussions on land governance, conflict prevention and environmental sustainability. Startup Investment Drive: A READY Salone Investor Day founder and VC roundtable connected Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs with African investors to boost the startup ecosystem. Football Infrastructure: SLFA President Babadi Kamara inspected construction of a 435-seater pavilion at the SLFA Football Academy in Kingtom, alongside upgrades like an electronic scoreboard.

Mangroves & Coastal Wetlands: Wetlands International launches Mangrove Capital Africa Phase IV in Freetown, aiming to restore degraded coastal wetlands across Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone and build a regional mangrove corridor. Urban Climate Risk: SLURC brings Pamoronko residents into inclusive land-use planning, using co-design to tackle climate vulnerabilities in informal settlements. Women, Climate & Resilience: First Lady Fatima Maada Bio departs for Angola to join a continental campaign linking climate, conflicts and sustainable futures for women and girls. Biodiversity Protection: BirdLife marks 15 years of safeguarding Africa’s critical biodiversity sites, highlighting how emerging threats like mining and agricultural expansion are being managed. Aquaculture Spotlight: Sierra Leone’s aquaculture sector gains attention at the U.S.-Africa Commercial Partnership forum, with Agro Fish Farm SL Ltd pitching sustainable growth for food security and jobs. Health & Supply Access: A Sierra Leone-linked study reports a low-cost decision-support tool that improves medicine allocation, boosting consumption in pilot districts. Governance & Justice: Sierra Leone advances an AU accountability plan to end FGM and child marriage through a national operationalisation workshop. Transport & Regulation: Sierra Leone Railways moves toward stronger oversight with a draft railway regulatory framework for Cabinet and Parliament. Food Waste & Pollution: A new study warns that recycling food waste could add microplastics to soil unless packaging is addressed. Debt Pressure: The IMF flags Sierra Leone’s public debt as high risk of distress despite recent economic gains.

Railway governance: Sierra Leone’s Railways Development and Regulatory Authority (SLRDRA) is consulting stakeholders on a Draft Railway Regulatory Framework to improve safety, licensing and compliance as new rail investments—including the proposed Mines-Port line—move forward. Local leadership & security: The government says it will host the first National Paramount Chiefs Conference in Bo (30 July–1 August) to strengthen chieftaincy ties with the state on governance, peace, security and local development, including environmental management discussions. Water & sanitation branding: SALWACO unveiled a new “SERVICE” brand strategy to refocus on reliable, safe and affordable water and sanitation, with stronger customer voice and equity. Water infrastructure talks: The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation is exploring a partnership with Egypt’s METIPRO, including seawater desalination for the Western Area and future work around the Rokel River Basin. Food systems & resilience: Vice President Juldeh Jalloh calls for higher investment in maternal and child nutrition in the first 1,000 days, linking it to Sierra Leone’s long-term resilience and programmes like Feed Salone. Women’s football: SLFA steps up planning for a Sierra Leone Women’s Football Strategy, shaped by nationwide consultations and set for a September 2026 launch. Debt risk: The IMF warns Sierra Leone’s public debt remains at high risk of distress despite recent macro gains.

Water & Sanitation: SALWACO unveiled a new “SERVICE” branding strategy to push more reliable, equitable, customer-centred water delivery across Sierra Leone. Water Infrastructure: The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation is exploring a partnership with Egypt’s METIPRO, including options like seawater desalination for the Western Area and future work around the Rokel River Basin. Regional Stability Funding: ECOWAS launched a technical mission to prepare projects under its Regional Fund for Stabilisation and Development, with consultations to map Sierra Leone’s priorities for resilience and long-term growth. Labour & Worker Protection: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Employment engaged commercial banks on labour law compliance, focusing on entitlements, outsourcing, and occupational safety and health. Maternal & Child Nutrition: Vice President Juldeh Jalloh called for bigger investment in nutrition during the first 1,000 days to strengthen national resilience. Climate & Food Systems: A study warns that recycling food waste could cut climate pollution but may add microplastics to soil unless packaging changes. Biodiversity Spotlight: Tacugama’s Willie Tucker spoke on conserving Sierra Leone’s western chimpanzees.

ECOWAS Stabilization Push: ECOWAS has launched a technical mission in Freetown to prepare projects under its Regional Fund for Stabilisation and Development, after Sierra Leone was selected as a new beneficiary. The team will consult ministries, set national coordination mechanisms, and map an implementation roadmap, with support from Germany via KfW and partners including GIZ. Water Security Focus: SALWACO rolled out a new “SERVICE” branding strategy to improve customer-centred, reliable water and sanitation delivery. Separately, Sierra Leone’s Water Resources ministry is exploring a partnership with Egypt’s METIPRO to modernise water infrastructure, including seawater desalination for the Western Area and future work around the Rokel River Basin. Food & Resilience: Vice President Juldeh Jalloh urged bigger investment in maternal and child nutrition, pointing to the “first 1,000 days” as key to long-term resilience, and citing programmes like Feed Salone and school feeding. Debt Watch: The IMF warned Sierra Leone’s public debt remains at high risk of distress despite recent economic gains, citing low reserves and heavy debt servicing. Aquaculture Spotlight: Sierra Leone’s aquaculture sector got international attention at the U.S.-Africa Commercial Partnership forum, highlighting sustainable fish farming for jobs and food security.

Water & Sanitation Reform: SALWACO unveiled a new “SERVICE” branding strategy to push more reliable, safe, affordable water and sanitation, with a stronger customer focus and equity in access. Water Infrastructure: Sierra Leone’s Water Resources ministry is exploring a partnership with Egypt’s METIPRO to modernise water systems, including possible seawater desalination for the Western Area and future work around the Rokel River Basin. Development Coordination: Catholic Relief Services launched a digital Coordination and Visualization Platform to map projects, reduce duplication, and improve monitoring and planning across Sierra Leone. Fragility & Resilience Funding: ECOWAS’s Regional Fund for Stabilisation and Development sent a technical mission to identify where targeted support can strengthen community resilience and address drivers of fragility. Aquaculture & Food Security: Agro Fish Farm SL Ltd gained international attention after CEO Aminata Kandeh represented Sierra Leone at the U.S.-Africa Commercial Partnership forum, highlighting sustainable aquaculture’s role in jobs and food security. Early Childhood Nutrition: Vice President Juldeh Jalloh urged bigger investment in maternal and child nutrition, stressing the first 1,000 days as key to long-term resilience. Regional Climate Justice: Vanuatu’s push for the International Court of Justice to clarify governments’ climate-change obligations gained major support, a move that could shape how climate harm is treated in law.

Water & Sanitation Reform: SALWACO rolled out a new “SERVICE” branding strategy to push more reliable, safe, affordable water and sanitation, with stronger customer focus and accountability. Water Infrastructure: Sierra Leone is exploring a partnership with Egypt’s METIPRO to modernise water systems, including possible seawater desalination for the Western Area and future work around the Rokel River Basin. Climate Resilience & Early Life Nutrition: Vice President Juldeh Jalloh urged bigger investment in maternal and child nutrition, stressing the first 1,000 days as key to Sierra Leone’s long-term resilience, linking this to Feed Salone, school feeding, fortification and proposed Nourish Salone. Regional Stability Planning: ECOWAS’s Regional Fund for Stabilisation and Development (FRSD) sent a technical mission to identify where Sierra Leone needs targeted support to reduce fragility and build community resilience. Conservation & Biodiversity: Tacugama’s Willie Tucker says western chimpanzees face habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade and climate pressures, while community livelihood support helps reduce hunting pressure. Media Capacity: SLAJ graduated 80 female journalists from a digital media literacy training, backing women’s voices in Sierra Leone’s fast-changing news ecosystem. Governance & Data: The Statistician-General monitored a mock population and housing census exercise in Hill Station despite heavy rain to protect data quality and public trust. Development Coordination: CRS launched a digital Coordination and Visualization Platform to improve how projects are mapped, coordinated and monitored across Sierra Leone.

Maternal & Child Nutrition: Sierra Leone’s Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh urged bigger investment in nutrition during a child’s first 1,000 days, calling it a foundation for resilience and long-term development, and pointing to programmes like Feed Salone, school feeding, food fortification and the proposed Nourish Salone movement. Water Security & Infrastructure: The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation is exploring a partnership with Egypt’s METIPRO to modernise water infrastructure, including options such as seawater desalination for the Western Area and future development around the Rokel River Basin. Water Sector Governance: Sierra Leone’s SALWACO Act review reached a key milestone after a technical working group meeting, moving reforms toward stakeholder validation and government approval to strengthen water-sector governance and service delivery. Development Coordination: Catholic Relief Services launched a new digital Coordination and Visualization Platform in Freetown to improve how projects are mapped, coordinated, and monitored across Sierra Leone. Wildlife & Climate Pressure: Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary highlights how habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade and climate change are driving threats to Sierra Leone’s western chimpanzees, while community livelihood support aims to reduce pressure on forests. Regional Integration Energy Deal: ECOWAS member states signed the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline intergovernmental agreement in Freetown, clearing the way for a major cross-border gas corridor that could reshape energy access across West Africa. Road Safety: Sierra Leone’s Road Safety Authority reaffirmed the country’s push to halve road deaths and serious injuries by 2030 after adopting a UN global road safety resolution.

Regional Water & Planning: Sierra Leone is exploring a partnership with Egypt’s METIPRO to modernise water infrastructure, including options like seawater desalination for the Western Area and work around the Rokel River Basin. Development Coordination: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) launched a digital Coordination and Visualization Platform in Freetown to map projects, reduce duplication, and improve monitoring and data access for development partners. Climate Justice Push: Vanuatu’s campaign to ask the International Court of Justice to clarify governments’ climate-change obligations is gaining momentum, with 86 countries backing a resolution. Extreme Heat at Work: A new push led by the WHO frames extreme heat as an occupational risk needing stronger accountability, spotlighting gaps where labour rules still treat heat as “just weather.” Biodiversity & Wildlife: Tacugama’s work to protect Sierra Leone’s western chimpanzees highlights habitat loss, deforestation and illegal wildlife trade as key threats. Human Capital & Nutrition: Sierra Leone’s VP Juldeh Jalloh urges bigger investment in maternal and child nutrition in the first 1,000 days, linking it to long-term resilience. Energy & Integration: ECOWAS endorsed the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a $25bn, 6,900-kilometre project that could reshape regional energy flows.

Water Security & Infrastructure: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation is exploring a partnership with Egypt’s METIPRO to modernise water infrastructure, including possible seawater desalination for the Western Area and future work around the Rokel River Basin. Development Coordination: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) launched a digital Coordination and Visualization Platform in Freetown to map projects, reduce duplication, and improve monitoring and data access for better planning across Sierra Leone. Climate Justice: Vanuatu’s push for the International Court of Justice to clarify states’ climate-change obligations gained major backing, with the case framed around protecting people from rising seas, storms and flooding. Biodiversity & Wildlife: Tacugama’s “Pa Willie” says western chimpanzees in Sierra Leone face habitat loss, deforestation and illegal wildlife trade, while community livelihood support aims to cut pressure on forests. Regional Resilience: ECOWAS’ Regional Fund for Stabilisation and Development (FRSD) sent a technical mission to identify where Sierra Leone needs targeted support to strengthen community resilience and reduce fragility. Public Health & Skills: UNFPA and MoPED reviewed 2026 progress with implementing partners in Freetown, while Sierra Leone also saw training for nurses at the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital using a hybrid model. Governance & Data: The Statistician-General monitored a mock population and housing census exercise at Hill Station despite heavy rain to keep the process accurate and trusted.

Telemedicine & Health Skills: Sierra Leone’s Sierra Leone–China Friendship Hospital in Freetown filled to capacity as 40+ senior nurses trained via a hybrid programme, including acupuncture and pain-treatment demonstrations, boosting local capacity for chronic care. Stabilisation & Resilience Funding: ECOWAS’s Regional Fund for Stabilisation and Development (FRSD) sent a technical mission to identify where Sierra Leone needs targeted support to strengthen community resilience and reduce fragility. Wildlife & Forest Pressure: Tacugama’s western chimpanzee work highlights habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade and climate change as key threats, while community livelihood support aims to cut hunting pressure. Water Governance Reform: SALWACO’s 2017 Act review hit a major milestone after technical working group consensus, moving toward stakeholder validation to modernise Sierra Leone’s water-sector governance and service delivery. Road Safety Commitment: Sierra Leone’s Road Safety Authority reaffirmed the push to halve road deaths and serious injuries by 2030, aligning national action with a UN global road safety resolution. Regional Energy Integration: ECOWAS endorsed the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline framework, with Sierra Leone hosting key summit decisions that could reshape West Africa’s energy future. Flood Risk Planning: Ghana’s budget plans for a permanent flooding solution underscore how long-term drainage and water management are becoming a regional priority.

ECOWAS ECO Currency Push: ECOWAS reaffirmed plans to launch a single “ECO” currency in 2027, with a phased rollout for countries meeting inflation, debt and monetary stability criteria—while key questions remain on the central bank and whether CFA-using states join early. African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Milestone: West African leaders signed the intergovernmental agreement for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline in Sierra Leone, aiming to move up to 30 billion cubic metres of gas annually across 13 countries toward Morocco and onward to Europe—an energy-security and regional-integration step that still stops short of a final investment decision. Sierra Leone ECOWAS Parliament Oversight: Sierra Leone’s ECOWAS Parliament delegation tabled the 2026 First Ordinary Session report, highlighting the bloc’s focus on integration, democratic governance, peace, security and sustainable development. Western Chimpanzee Conservation: Tacugama’s work to protect Sierra Leone’s western chimpanzees faces mounting pressure from habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade and climate change, with community livelihood support helping reduce forest dependence. Water Sector Reform: Sierra Leone’s SALWACO Act review reached a key milestone after technical working group consensus on reforms to modernise governance and improve service delivery, moving next to stakeholder validation and government approval. Road Safety Commitment: Sierra Leone’s Road Safety Authority reaffirmed support for a UN global road safety push to halve deaths and serious injuries by 2030.

Fisheries & ocean governance: The WTO Fish Fund steering committee approved about $2.2m in grants for 17 developing countries to help implement the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, including work on needs assessments, reporting, data collection and stronger regulation. Public health speed alarm: A new report warns this year’s Ebola outbreak in Congo has reached 1,000 deaths nearly three times faster than the 2014–2016 worst-on-record outbreak, with 2,536 confirmed cases and 1,033 deaths reported. Flood risk planning: Ghana’s finance minister says the 2027 budget will fund a “permanent solution” to flooding in Accra and other flood-prone areas, shifting from emergency response to long-term works like dredging and drainage. Wildlife & climate pressure: Tacugama’s work to protect Sierra Leone’s western chimpanzees highlights habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade and climate-linked pressures, with the sanctuary caring for 100+ rescued chimps. Water sector reform: Sierra Leone’s SALWACO Act review hit a key milestone after technical working group consensus, moving toward stakeholder validation and government approval. Regional energy integration: ECOWAS signed the intergovernmental framework for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a 6,900 km corridor aimed at moving up to 30 bcm/year of gas across 13 coastal countries toward Morocco and onward to Europe. Road safety push: Sierra Leone’s road safety authority reaffirmed commitment to a UN resolution targeting halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.