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The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) on August 4, 2026, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the construction of a Cancer Centre in Sierra Leone during a high-level meeting between its Acting Director-General, Rashaid A. Al-Bader, and Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Her Excellency Haja Ishata Thomas, at the Fund’s headquarters in Kuwait City.
The proposed facility, which will include diagnostic, radiotherapy, and nuclear medicine services, is planned for Kerry Town in the Western Area Rural District.
The engagement focused on advancing cooperation in the health sector, with Mr Al-Bader confirming that the Fund is prepared to move forward with the project once formal approval is conveyed by the Government of Sierra Leone, after which an appraisal mission will be dispatched to Freetown. The initiative is part of Sierra Leone’s broader effort to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and address critical gaps in cancer diagnosis and treatment, which currently require many patients to seek costly care abroad.
Ambassador Thomas welcomed the renewed commitment, noting that the establishment of a modern cancer treatment facility would significantly improve access to specialised healthcare services, reduce mortality rates, and ease the financial and emotional burden on patients and their families. She also acknowledged ongoing discussions between Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Finance and KFAED, including earlier engagements held on the sidelines of the Islamic Development Bank meetings in Baku in June 2026.
The proposed project builds on a longstanding partnership between Sierra Leone and the Kuwait Fund, which dates back to the 1990s and has included support for major infrastructure initiatives such as the Waterloo-Tokeh Road and the Kenema-Pendembu Road, as well as contributions to water and sanitation projects in the Western Area. While cooperation has delivered significant development gains, some health infrastructure projects previously financed by the Fund experienced delays, prompting the government to secure alternative funding arrangements in 2026 to complete stalled facilities.
The Cancer Centre project aligns with President Julius Maada Bio’s broader healthcare agenda and has also attracted interest from other international partners, including the OPEC Fund, reflecting a coordinated effort to strengthen Sierra Leone’s health system. The renewed commitment from KFAED signals continued international backing for the country’s efforts to expand access to specialised medical care and improve health outcomes.
