By Hassan Osman Kargbo
Sierra Leone is set to benefit from a landmark $40 million grant from the World Bank through the International Development Association (IDA) to launch the Sierra Leone Water Security and WASH Access Improvement Project. The initiative marks the first phase of a $180 million, decade-long program aimed at transforming access to clean water, sanitation, and climate resilience nationwide.
According to a statement from the World Bank, the initial phase will focus on the Western Area and is expected to deliver tangible benefits to at least five million people. Among the targeted beneficiaries are 2.5 million women and 1.5 million youth, who will gain improved access to reliable water supply systems, modern sanitation infrastructure, and strengthened institutional reforms.
Despite the country’s abundant rainfall, Sierra Leone continues to experience economic water scarcity due to underdeveloped infrastructure and governance gaps. Sector data paints a stark picture: only 63 percent of the population has access to basic water services, while just 23 percent can rely on improved drinking water sources located within their homes. Sanitation access remains even lower, with only 32 percent of the population enjoying safely managed or basic facilities. Alarmingly, just 12 percent of Sierra Leoneans have access to basic hygiene services.
The World Bank project is designed to address these challenges head-on by strengthening service delivery systems and investing in infrastructure. Beyond improvements to public health and hygiene, the program also promises to generate economic opportunities. At least 1,400 direct jobs will be created through infrastructure upgrades and service expansion, while 600 sector professionals will receive training to boost institutional capacity.
Additional planned outcomes include the annual addition of 50,000 cubic meters of fecal sludge treatment capacity and improved water services for at least 400,000 people in the Western Area. Furthermore, 1.3 million people across the country will benefit from improved sanitation and hygiene, with 80,000 gaining access to upgraded public facilities.
In parallel, the project will support the development of a national water resources masterplan, operational reforms at the Guma Valley Water Company, and a nationwide behavior change campaign to make Sierra Leone “open-defecation free.”
Describing the initiative as a milestone, Abdu Muwonge, World Bank Country Manager for Sierra Leone, said: “This project is a critical step forward. It enhances public health, environmental sustainability, and lays the foundation for resilient economic growth.”
The broader $180 million Multiphase Programmatic Approach is expected to unfold over ten years. Future phases will build on initial reforms to strengthen regulatory frameworks, attract pooled funding mechanisms, and ensure the long-term sustainability of Sierra Leone’s water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector.
With this initial grant, Sierra Leone is set on a path toward improved access to safe water, better sanitation services, and stronger resilience against climate risks. The project represents not only an investment in infrastructure but also a commitment to dignity, health, and sustainable development for millions of Sierra Leoneans.
