To ttackle the pressing issue of water management in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, the government has announced the launch of the Western Area Peninsular Water Fund (WAPWF). The $2 million investment facility, aims to support sustainable water resource management solutions in the city.

The launch ceremony, held on January 25, 2024, was presided over by Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. Speaking at the event, Vice President Jalloh emphasized the significance of the water fund in addressing the lack of funding for water management initiatives in Freetown. He highlighted the importance of mobilizing additional resources and encouraging private sector involvement to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6) by 2030, which aims to ensure access to water and sanitation for all.

Managed by the National Water Resources Management Agency (NWRMA) under Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, the WAPWF will play a crucial role in ensuring water security for Freetown’s nearly 1.35 million residents. The fund will utilize nature-based solutions and sustainable watershed management practices to achieve its objectives.

The $2 million water fund is part of a larger $20 million initiative aimed at ensuring a healthy watershed for the greater Freetown area and providing a reliable supply of clean water to all upstream and downstream residents. The project will focus on safeguarding the delicate balance of nature, including the restoration of the Western Area Peninsula National Park, one of Sierra Leone’s eight biodiversity hotspots.

Covering approximately 17,000 hectares of dense forest, the national park boasts a diverse range of flora and fauna, with 60% of its forest vegetation still untouched. The initiative will work towards preserving this unique ecosystem while addressing the water needs of the local population.

Partnering with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), alongside various local and national stakeholders, the WAPWF represents the first water fund of its kind in West Africa. Ademola Ajagbe, TNC’s Regional Managing Director for Africa, praised the innovative and collaborative approach of the water fund, emphasizing its potential to address the critical need for water security in the region.

The Nature Conservancy, a U.S.-based environmental organization, has been at the forefront of promoting water funds across Africa. Having launched Africa’s first water fund in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2015, TNC has since expanded its approach to 17 sites across the continent, demonstrating the effectiveness of this model in addressing water challenges in diverse contexts.

With the launch of the Western Area Peninsular Water Fund, Sierra Leone is taking a significant step towards ensuring sustainable water management and addressing the water needs of its capital city. By leveraging partnerships and innovative approaches, the government aims to achieve tangible progress towards the ambitious goal of water security for all by 2030.