AGP Executive Report

Energy & Industry Oversight: Sierra Leone’s Water Ministry has intensified checks on private water companies in Freetown, inspecting 41 facilities over five days to verify safe drinking water standards, hygiene, filtration, UV treatment, chlorine levels, and compliance records. Environment & Mining Enforcement: EPA Sierra Leone destroyed five giant dredges in a crackdown on illegal Moa River mining after pollution was reported near SALWACO’s intake, aiming to protect water sources and river ecosystems. Regional Trade & Logistics: ECOWAS opened a temporary joint border post at Bo-Waterside (Liberia–Sierra Leone) to support coordinated customs, immigration and security while the permanent facility is built—pushing faster, safer cross-border trade. Maritime Skills: Ghana’s Maritime Authority launched a regional training for seafarer examiners and assessors, with Sierra Leone among participating countries, to keep certification aligned with international standards. Health & Workplace Action: A malaria survey across 10 West African countries found 62% of workers get no employer malaria prevention support, urging businesses to move from awareness to workplace protection. Energy Transition Finance: A UK green tech firm (MOPO) plans to expand its “energy grid of the future” model across Sierra Leone and the region, scaling solar battery rentals and adding cabled electricity services.

Water Safety in Freetown: Sierra Leone’s Water Ministry has stepped up checks on private water companies, running a five-day monitoring drive across 41 facilities in Freetown and the peninsula to test water quality, hygiene, treatment systems and compliance—finding mixed standards and calling for corrective action. Malaria at Work: A new Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa survey says 62% of workers across 10 West African countries, including Sierra Leone, get no workplace malaria prevention support, urging employers to move from awareness to real protection. Environmental Enforcement: EPA Sierra Leone destroyed five giant dredges in the Moa River crackdown after pollution concerns near SALWACO’s intake point in Kenema, targeting illegal dredging and river ecosystem damage. Energy Investment: UK firm MOPO says it will expand its solar battery charging-and-rental model across Sierra Leone and the region, with up to $75m planned for Nigeria to build a “future energy grid.” Trade & Connectivity: ECOWAS handed Liberia the renovated Bo-Waterside NTA building and opened a temporary joint border post to speed cross-border trade with Sierra Leone while permanent works continue. Media & Representation: Information Minister Chernor Bah pushed for stronger China-Africa media cooperation so Africans shape how their stories are told, not just receive coverage.

ECOWAS Border Trade Boost: ECOWAS opened a Temporary Joint Border Post at Bo-Waterside for Liberia–Sierra Leone, with facilities for customs, immigration and security as construction of the permanent site continues—aimed at faster, safer movement of people and goods. ECOWAS Logistics & Security: ECOWAS is preparing for a 2027 stabilisation force, moving donated equipment to a logistics centre in Freetown and thanking Nigeria for leadership. Maritime Skills for Industry: Ghana’s Maritime Authority ran a regional training to strengthen seafarer examiners and assessors, with participants including Sierra Leone—pushing safer, tech-ready certification. Youth Jobs Focus: The ILO and Nigeria’s government called for an actionable youth employment plan, with lessons on skills gaps, informality and school-to-work transitions. Sierra Leone–Kazakhstan Business Links: Registrations of companies founded by Sierra Leoneans in Kazakhstan jumped sharply in July, reflecting growing trade, logistics, agriculture and mining cooperation. China Trade Update: China’s ambassador says China–Sierra Leone trade hit $2.3bn in 2025, with exports set to expand beyond fishing. Digital Commerce Risk: Sierra Leone moves to close a seven-year legal gap threatening mobile money fraud and digital commerce growth. Education & Inclusion: Research highlights high levels of violence against children with disabilities in mainstream schools in Karene, urging stronger protection in classrooms and daily school routes.

Maritime Training Boost: Ghana’s Maritime Authority opens a five-day regional programme at the Regional Maritime University to upgrade seafarer examiners, assessors and instructors, with Sierra Leone among participating countries—aimed at keeping certification aligned with fast-changing automation and digital shipping. Lungi Bridge Deal: U.S. Ambassador-designate Daniel Travis says Sierra Leone has agreed with Acrow Corporation to build the Lungi Bridge, promising a direct road link between Freetown and the airport—though details like financing and timelines are still not officially confirmed locally. China–Sierra Leone Trade Push: China’s ambassador reports bilateral trade hit $2.3bn in 2025, with Sierra Leone exports to China up over 40%, and talks underway to expand beyond fishing into palm oil, coffee and cocoa. Energy Jobs Secured: Sierra Leone’s Energy Ministry permanently absorbs 50% of EDSA contract workers into civil service roles, a move aimed at stabilising the power distribution workforce. WASH Investment Plan: Government outlines a 10-year WASH programme needing about $7bn, with an initial $180m World Bank-backed phase already underway. Agriculture Data via Drones: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Agriculture trains officers in drone-based monitoring for better field data and decision-making for smallholder farmers. Higher Education Reforms: JAMB will support Sierra Leone’s shift to centralised university admissions for 12 months, alongside digital fee payments and secure certificate production. Cocoa Sector Link-Up: Sierra Leone partners with Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to revamp the national cocoa industry and move toward a more unified cash-crop authority. Media Safeguarding: Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) calls for stronger safeguarding and accountability to protect journalists from gender-based harassment and exploitation.

Energy & Jobs: Sierra Leone’s Energy Ministry has permanently absorbed 50% of EDSA contract workers into civil service roles, a move aimed at stabilising livelihoods and strengthening the power distribution backbone. Power Reliability: Reports also highlight ongoing electricity disruptions in Freetown’s wider region, underscoring how grid faults and repair delays keep businesses and households on edge. Water & Sanitation Investment: Government has set a 10-year WASH programme needing about US$7bn, with an initial US$180m World Bank-backed phase already underway, as institutions and financing are reorganised. Agriculture Data & Drones: The Ministry of Agriculture trained M&E and communications officers on drone-based field data collection to improve decisions for smallholder farmers. Cocoa Value Chain: Sierra Leone is partnering with Ghana’s COCOBOD to revamp its national cocoa industry, including plans for a more unified cash-crop authority. Renewables Skills for Women: Easy Solar and SEND Sierra Leone are training and deploying female solar technicians to expand solar freezer and generator installations. Education Reforms: MTHE is pushing performance contracts and centralised admissions support, while teachers’ union leaders call for a higher school subsidy. Media Safeguarding: WIMSAL urges stronger safeguarding and accountability to protect journalists from harassment and exploitation. Regional Security: ECOWAS has started moving Chinese-donated military logistics equipment from Nigeria to Sierra Leone to prepare for a counter-terrorism force by 2027.

Leadership & Women’s Skills: LEAP Africa wraps its 5th Leadership Accelerator Programme for Young African Women, with 4,500+ participants from 48 African countries and 31 selected for a Nairobi boot camp. Digital & Consumer Safety: A Sierra Leonean WhatsApp takeover scam shows how hackers hijack long-used numbers and pressure contacts for money. Water & WASH Investment: Government sets a $7bn 10-year WASH target, aligning new coordination under the water ministry with partner support. Power & Jobs: Energy Ministry permanently absorbs 50% of EDSA contract workers into civil service roles. Agriculture Data: MAFS trains officers on drone-based monitoring to improve agricultural data collection and decision-making. Cocoa Industry: Sierra Leone partners with Ghana Cocoa Board to revamp the national cocoa sector and move toward a unified cash-crop authority. Renewables for Women: Easy Solar and SEND Sierra Leone train and deploy female solar technicians for solar freezer and generator installations. Education Policy: MTHE pushes higher education reforms as universities sign performance contracts, including centralised admissions support from Nigeria’s JAMB. Health Systems: MSF donates a multi-patient oxygen generator to the Julius Maada Bio Paediatric Centre to boost emergency care capacity.

Energy & Jobs: Sierra Leone’s Energy Ministry has permanently absorbed 50% of EDSA contract workers into full-time civil service roles, securing livelihoods across technical, customer service and administrative departments. WASH & Water Infrastructure: Government says it’s targeting about US$7bn over 10 years to expand safe water and sanitation, coordinate institutions, and mobilise financing, with an initial US$180m World Bank-backed phase already underway. Agriculture Data & Tech: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security completed a week-long drone training for monitoring and evaluation and communications officers to improve field mapping, tracking and decision-making for smallholder farmers. Education & Human Capital: Sierra Leone’s higher education reforms are moving ahead as universities sign performance contracts covering centralised admissions, secure local certificate production and digital fee payments. Renewables & Women in Industry: Easy Solar and SEND Sierra Leone are training and deploying female solar technicians for solar freezer and solar generator installations, with extra troubleshooting skills. Health Systems Support: MSF donated a multi-patient oxygen generator to the Julius Maada Bio Paediatric Centre to boost emergency and critical care capacity. Regional Security Logistics: ECOWAS has started moving Chinese-donated military and logistics equipment from Nigeria to Sierra Leone to support the planned regional counter-terrorism force by 2027.

WASH Investment Push: Sierra Leone has set out a 10-year WASH plan needing about US$7bn, aiming to expand safe water, sanitation and waste management, and coordinate the sector under one framework, with an initial US$180m World Bank-backed phase already underway. Energy Jobs & Stability: The Energy Ministry has permanently absorbed 50% of EDSA contract workers into civil service roles, securing jobs for long-serving staff across technical, customer service and administrative departments. Cocoa Sector Upgrade: Sierra Leone is partnering with Ghana’s COCOBOD to revamp the national cocoa industry, including moving toward a unified cash-crop authority and knowledge transfer to reduce fragmented production. Renewables Skills for Women: Easy Solar and SEND Sierra Leone are training and deploying female solar technicians to install solar freezer and generator systems, boosting women’s participation in the renewable energy workforce. Education Systems Reform: MTHE is driving higher education reforms as universities sign performance contracts, including centralised admissions, secure local certificate production and digital fee payments via WanGov. Health Supply Boost: MSF has donated a multi-patient oxygen generator to the Julius Maada Bio Paediatric Centre to strengthen emergency and critical care for children. School Food Policy: Freetown City Council is piloting low-sodium school meal guidelines to cut sodium intake by 15% in six municipal schools, with vendor and safety standards under review. Security Cooperation: Sierra Leone’s Internal Affairs Minister called for stronger Sierra Leone–Ghana and ECOWAS coordination to tackle Sahel-linked instability, terrorism and irregular migration. Higher Education Access: Sierra Leone’s centralised university admissions plan gets support from Nigeria’s JAMB, with technical officers expected for 12 months.

WASH Investment Push: Sierra Leone’s government has mapped a 10-year water, sanitation and hygiene plan needing about US$7bn, aiming to expand safe water, sanitation and waste management, and to unify fragmented responsibilities under a single framework, with an initial US$180m World Bank-backed phase already underway. Higher Education Reforms: The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education is driving performance contracts with universities, including centralised admissions, secure local certificate production, digital fee payments and stronger university-industry links. Renewable Energy Jobs for Women: Easy Solar and SEND Sierra Leone are training and deploying female solar technicians to support solar freezer and generator installations nationwide. School Food Health: Freetown City Council is piloting low-sodium school meal guidelines in six municipal schools, targeting a 15% sodium cut with WHO-aligned vendor standards. Digital Commerce Rules: Sierra Leone is moving to close a seven-year regulatory gap for electronic transactions, translating older laws into enforceable rules to protect businesses and consumers. Mining & Health Supply: Sonamines is reopening talks after failed tenders for cobalt/nickel/manganese and rutile projects, while MSF donated a multi-patient oxygen generator to boost paediatric emergency care. Regional Security Logistics: ECOWAS has started moving Chinese-donated military logistics equipment from Nigeria to Sierra Leone to support a planned counter-terrorism force by mid-2027.

School Nutrition Reform: Freetown City Council (FCC) is piloting low-sodium meal guidelines for six municipal schools, aiming to cut pupils’ sodium intake by 15% through vendor training and WHO-aligned standards. Renewable Energy Skills: Easy Solar and SEND Sierra Leone are training and deploying female solar technicians to install solar freezers and generators, with added troubleshooting support and pay per completed job. Digital Commerce Rules: Sierra Leone is moving to close a seven-year regulatory gap for electronic transactions, with MoCTI and MTI working with partners to turn existing laws into enforceable systems for mobile money and digital payments. Investment & Diplomacy: China and the UN discussed stronger cooperation for Sierra Leone’s development priorities, including agriculture, health, education, security and better national data systems for evidence-based policymaking. Mining & Finance Watch: Trustco has issued another caution over its minority stake and loan exposure tied to Meya Mining in Sierra Leone after a JSE fine was upheld. Health Supply Boost: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health has started local production of infection prevention supplies like soap, hand sanitiser and detergent under its IPC programme. Heritage & Cities: Parliament’s tourism committee urged urgent support for Sierra Leone’s museums and monuments, while Freetown’s Mayor launched construction of the King Jimmy indoor market under the SURGE project.

Digital Commerce & Consumer Protection: Sierra Leone moves to close a seven-year legal gap for its fast-growing digital commerce, with MoCTI and MTI pushing new rules under the electronic transactions framework to better protect businesses, consumers and investors. Mobile Money Fraud: The ICT ministry convened sector players to design a coordinated fraud prevention and response framework for mobile financial services, aiming to strengthen consumer protection as digital payments expand. Energy & Investment: The U.S. signals trade and investment leverage as Sierra Leone negotiates a Critical Minerals Agreement, with officials pointing to MCC and DFC tools tied to reforms and power-sector support. Health Supply Chain: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health starts local production of infection prevention supplies—soap, hand sanitiser and detergent—under its IPC programme to cut maternal and child deaths. Urban Markets & Local Economy: Freetown Mayor Aki-Sawyerr launches construction of the King Jimmy Market under the SURGE project, supported by the EU and the city council. Football Infrastructure: SLFA President Babadi Kamara inspects a new 435-seater pavilion at the SLFA Technical Centre, built through his personal donation. Heritage Sector: A parliamentary committee urges urgent investment and better legislation to protect Sierra Leone’s museums, monuments and relics. Mining Risk Watch: Trustco issues another caution over its minority position in Sierra Leone’s Meya Mining, citing no material change but urging shareholder caution.

Digital Commerce Regulation: Sierra Leone has started closing a seven-year legal gap for electronic transactions, aiming to turn the 2019 Electronic Transactions Act into workable rules that protect businesses, consumers and investors as mobile money grows. Health & Local Manufacturing: The Ministry of Health has begun local production of infection prevention supplies—soap, hand sanitiser and liquid detergent—under its IPC programme to cut avoidable infections and maternal and child deaths. Ebola Watch: Africa CDC says the DRC’s Ebola outbreak is worsening, with a fatality rate above 46% and health systems under strain, raising the risk of escalation to a higher emergency level. Heritage & Tourism Oversight: A parliamentary committee is pushing urgent action to revive Sierra Leone’s heritage sector, calling for stronger investment and updated support for museums and monuments. Urban Markets & Local Economy: Freetown Mayor Aki-Sawyerr launched construction of the King Jimmy Market under the SURGE project, moving a historic but unsafe market into a modern indoor space. Football Infrastructure: SLFA President Babadi Kamara inspected progress on a new 435-seater pavilion at the SLFA Technical Centre in Kingtom, funded through his personal donation. Media Tech Collaboration: Sierra Leone’s information ministry says it wants deeper China-Africa media cooperation on AI, including building local capacity rather than only importing equipment.

Infection Control Supply Push: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health has started local production of infection prevention supplies under its National IPC Programme, targeting avoidable infections and maternal/child deaths; the first locally made items include liquid soap, hand sanitiser and liquid detergent for government hospitals and health facilities. Critical Minerals & Trade Leverage: The U.S. says it will use trade, investment and development tools as Sierra Leone negotiates a Critical Minerals Agreement, pointing to instruments like the MCC compact and DFC support tied to electricity-sector reforms and private generation. Mobile Money Fraud Plan: Sierra Leone’s ICT ministry is drafting a framework to tackle mobile money fraud and strengthen consumer protection, following a consultative workshop with sector leaders on coordinated prevention and response. Energy Upgrade Milestone: Sungrow has commissioned Sierra Leone’s RESPITE solar-plus-storage project, the country’s first major national-scale power generation connected to the grid in nearly a decade, with 35MWh storage. Local Market Construction: Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr launched construction of the King Jimmy Market in the CBD under the SURGE project, backed by EU and city council funding. Community Policing Boost: Kailahun District received five motorbikes to strengthen community policing and faster incident response through the Local Policing Partnership Board. Constitution Reform Debate: Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh defended the amended Constitution as inclusive and “state-of-the-art,” outlining five key features and the reform process. Mining & Community Development: A Sierra Leone-linked policy debate is resurfacing as Ghana discusses making mining community development obligations mandatory, citing Sierra Leone’s Mining and Minerals Development Act 2022 as a model. Regional Health Watch: WHO warned the DRC Ebola outbreak is “far from being under control,” moving faster than previous epidemics and risking spread—an issue for regional preparedness.

Community Policing Boost: Sierra Leone Police intensified community policing in Kailahun by donating five motorbikes to the Local Policing Partnership Board, aiming to improve visibility, speed up responses, and strengthen information-sharing after June disturbances. Energy & Grid Reliability: EDSA says investigations are ongoing after a major fault interrupted power from the newly commissioned 10MWp RESPITE Solar Power Plant in Lungi, following only three days of supply—teams are assessing the 11kV line and will share a restoration timeline. Power Sector Milestone: Sungrow commissioned Sierra Leone’s RESPITE Solar-plus-Storage project, described as the country’s first major national-scale grid-connected power generation in nearly a decade, with 35MWh storage. Mining & Local Development: A Ghana mining dialogue called for mandatory community development obligations for mining firms, pointing to Sierra Leone’s Mining and Minerals Development Act 2022 as a model. Health Workforce Expansion: Sierra Leone’s Health Ministry inspected $3.5m medical training projects in Jui and Lakka to expand local capacity for doctors and specialists. Labour Pressure: UASA issued a 21-day strike notice over non-implementation of reviewed conditions of service and a demand for a 100% salary increase. Ebola Watch (Regional): WHO warned the DRC’s Ebola outbreak is far from under control and spreading faster than previous outbreaks, raising spillover risk. Climate Recognition: Sierra Leonean climate advocate Komrabai Dumbuya was named among the Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust’s 100 Young Leaders for 2026. Trade & Infrastructure Finance: ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development approved over $500m for projects across Guinea, Ghana and Sierra Leone, including roads, healthcare, renewables and private-sector support. Currency Pressure: A report lists Sierra Leone’s leone among Africa’s weakest currencies in August 2026, with implications for import costs and household purchasing power.

Renewable Power & Grid Reliability: Sungrow has commissioned Sierra Leone’s RESPITE solar-plus-storage project, the country’s first major national-scale power generation job in nearly a decade, with 35MWh storage and 8 PowerTitan ESS units—though EDSA says supply to Lungi was interrupted after a major fault on the 12km 11kV line, with investigations ongoing. Energy Investment & Regional Finance: ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) approved over $500m for projects across Guinea, Ghana and Sierra Leone, targeting roads, healthcare, renewable energy and private-sector growth. Mining & Community Development: Ghana’s Mireku Duker urged laws to make minimum community development obligations mandatory for mining firms, pointing to Sierra Leone’s Mining and Minerals Development Act 2022 and the requirement for community development agreements. Disaster Preparedness: Sierra Leone’s NDMA sent two senior officials to a two-week emergency management and work safety training in China, focused on early warning, risk assessment and post-disaster coordination. Labour & Education: UASA issued a 21-day strike notice over non-implementation of reviewed conditions of service and a demand for a 100% salary increase for public tertiary academic staff. Public Health Risk: WHO warned the DRC Ebola outbreak is “far from being under control,” spreading faster than before and driven by insecurity, displacement and movement along roads, rivers and mining routes. Currency Pressure: A report on weak African exchange rates puts Sierra Leone’s leone among the weakest currencies in August 2026, with more than 22,000 leones needed for $1.

Ebola Response: WHO chief Tedros warns the DRC Ebola outbreak is “far from being under control,” with insecurity, displacement and mining-route movement fuelling spread; latest figures put deaths at 2,325 and cases at 4,945, with the case fatality ratio rising to 46%. Health & Industry Training: Sierra Leone’s NDMA sends two senior officials to a two-week emergency management and work-safety training in China, aimed at better preparedness for floods, mudslides and industrial accidents. Higher Education Labour Action: UASA issues a 21-day strike notice over non-implementation of reviewed Conditions of Service and a demand for a 100% salary increase for public tertiary academic staff. Power Reliability: EDSA says investigations are ongoing after a major fault interrupted supply from the newly commissioned 10MWp RESPITE Solar Power Plant in Lungi, following a fault on the 12km 11kV line. Agribusiness Supply: Sierra Leone Brewery Limited hits a highest-ever sorghum supply with 1,004 tonnes delivered, raising its 2027 local sourcing target to 1,350–1,400 tonnes. Politics & Economy: SLPP’s Abdul Muniru pushes back on World Bank economic warnings, arguing international partners’ concerns may align with their own lending priorities. Tourism & Heritage: Sierra Leone’s tourism sector mourns the passing of Country Side Guest House proprietor Pius George, praised for mentoring hospitality talent in Bo.