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The Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) has taken a decisive step toward institutional reform and financial sustainability following a three-day strategic retreat in Bo District focused on crafting its 2026-2030 Strategic Development Plan (SDP).
It was held under the theme “Transforming SALWACO into a Functional and Financially Viable Institution.” The retreat signaled a renewed push to strengthen governance structures, modernize operations, and reposition the company as a results-driven public utility.
The initiative forms part of Managing Director Ing. Tiideni Hawa Jabbi’s 100-day assumption-of-office roadmap since taking office in November 2025. By prioritizing the development of a comprehensive five-year strategy early in her tenure, she underscored the importance of long-term planning as the foundation for institutional transformation.
In her opening address, the Managing Director called for collective ownership of the reform process, urging board members, management, and staff to contribute to a practical and measurable strategy that would improve efficiency and strengthen service delivery nationwide.
The retreat brought together the Board Chairman, Board of Directors members, senior management, and technical staff for a collaborative planning process to align policy direction with operational realities.
Technical sessions explored utility management best practices, performance improvement planning, and results-based frameworks. A key highlight was the presentation of SALWACO’s Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) business model canvas, designed to ensure that strategic objectives are clearly linked to measurable outcomes, cost frameworks, and accountability benchmarks.
Discussions also focused on building a structured results framework for water supply and sanitation targets, alongside defining realistic cost requirements to sustain service expansion.As part of efforts to improve financial performance, participants were introduced to a proposed Smart Commercial Management System aimed at strengthening billing accuracy, revenue collection, and financial transparency. The innovation aligns with SALWACO’s broader objective of becoming financially viable and less dependent on external subsidies.
The Director of ICT, Mr. Moses Daniel Kon-Sopay, was recognized with a motivational award for rapidly developing the smart billing concept within two weeks, a move seen as symbolic of the company’s new culture of innovation and responsiveness.
Deliberations on the final day centered on consolidating technical inputs into a coherent draft framework for the Strategic Development Plan. Planning, capital development, and project leads facilitated rapporteur-led sessions to refine implementation pathways.
Board Chairman Mr. Joseph Joe Ndanema, in his closing remarks, emphasized that the retreat outcomes would enhance corporate governance and provide clearer direction for achieving SALWACO’s mandate.
The retreat concluded with renewed commitment from leadership to implement the SDP as a roadmap for operational efficiency, financial sustainability, and improved water service delivery across the country.
