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The Government of Sierra Leone is exploring a possible partnership with Egyptian engineering firm METIPRO to improve the country’s water infrastructure through advanced technology and international financing.
The discussions were held during a courtesy meeting between the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr. Sao-Kpato Hannah Isatta Macarthy, and METIPRO’s Executive Director for Business Development, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim.
During the meeting, Mr. Ibrahim outlined METIPRO’s expertise in desalination, drinking water treatment, wastewater management and industrial water solutions. He said the company, which has more than 70 years of experience and has completed over 5,000 projects in more than 50 countries, is capable of supporting large-scale water infrastructure projects through technical expertise and access to international financing.
He told the Government that METIPRO was willing to provide technical advice at no cost while working with the Ministry to identify priority investments and suitable financing arrangements.
Dr. Macarthy welcomed the delegation and said the Government was encouraging credible private sector participation to help transform Sierra Leone’s water sector. She identified seawater desalination as a promising long-term option for improving water supply, particularly in the Western Area and nearby communities.
The Minister noted that Sierra Leone’s long Atlantic coastline provides an opportunity to develop desalination projects alongside existing freshwater resources. She also highlighted the strategic importance of the Rokel River Basin and said earlier feasibility studies could support future investment planning.
Seeking further clarification, Dr. Macarthy requested details on the financing models METIPRO has used successfully in other African and Middle Eastern countries.
In response, Mr. Ibrahim explained that the company supports projects through government-backed financing, export credit facilities and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements designed to match the priorities and fiscal conditions of partner governments.
He recommended a diversified approach that combines conventional water treatment, seawater desalination and brackish water treatment to strengthen Sierra Leone’s long-term water security.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue engagements under a structured roadmap. Dr. Macarthy stressed that the Government would conduct comprehensive due diligence before entering into any formal partnership, including a technical assessment of METIPRO’s operations in Egypt.
She welcomed the company’s invitation for a Sierra Leonean delegation to visit its facilities and inspect completed projects before discussions advance to financing and implementation stages.
Both parties agreed to continue consultations after the proposed study visit, while any future agreement would be subject to the Government’s established approval processes, including Cabinet and the Ministry of Finance where required.
METIPRO is an engineering, procurement and construction company specialising in water and wastewater treatment, desalination and industrial water solutions. The company is now part of Egypt’s Hassan Allam Holding, which is expanding sustainable water infrastructure projects across the Middle East and Africa.
