MLGCA Engages Ethiopian Organisation to Strengthen Waste Management in Sierra Leone
Alusine Ahmed Kargbo Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs (MLGCA) is exploring ways to improve waste management in Sierra Leone through discussions with an Ethiopian organisation, Promoting Economic Transition to Circular Options (PETCO).
The engagement focused on opportunities for cooperation, knowledge-sharing and the development of sustainable waste management systems, including greater private-sector involvement and the recycling of waste materials.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the Ministry to learn from Ethiopia’s experience in promoting a circular economy, where waste materials are reused or converted into valuable resources.
Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Amb. Tamba Lamina, said Sierra Leone could benefit from Ethiopia’s progress in developing sustainable waste management practices.
He identified population growth, limited resources and financial difficulties facing local councils as major obstacles to effective waste management. He said the country needs to adopt approaches that treat waste as a resource rather than simply a public sanitation problem.
Lamina also called for greater private-sector involvement and stronger partnerships to support local councils. He noted that measures such as the introduction of waste management bylaws by Freetown City Council (FCC) had been taken, but further investment and coordination were needed.
The minister said cooperation with PETCO could help develop practical solutions while ensuring that waste management programmes remain sustainable beyond the involvement of development partners.
PETCO Executive Director Mihret Teclemariam welcomed the engagement, describing it as an opportunity for South-South cooperation. She said the organisation was interested in understanding Sierra Leone’s waste management challenges and working with local partners to address existing gaps.
Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH) Country Director Bananeza Emmanuel Octave said the partnership developed following an earlier visit to Ethiopia, where representatives had the opportunity to study PETCO’s work in the circular economy sector.
He explained that the collaboration began in October 2025 to identify shared interests and introduce relevant Ethiopian experience to Sierra Leone.
Octave added that the partnership would support ongoing engagements, including discussions around the National Waste Conference, as well as future programmes focused on community involvement and improving waste management systems.
The engagement comes as Sierra Leone continues to face challenges in managing waste, particularly at the local council level, where limited funding and resources affect service delivery. Cooperation with PETCO could provide opportunities to strengthen recycling, encourage private investment and improve environmental management.