The Government of Sierra Leone explored a potential partnership with Egyptian engineering firm METIPRO to enhance the country’s water infrastructure through innovative technologies, technical expertise, and sustainable financing solutions.
The discussions were held during a courtesy meeting between the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr. Sao-Kpato Hannah Isatta Macarthy, and Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, Executive Director for Business Development at METIPRO. The meeting focused on opportunities to collaborate in areas such as seawater desalination, drinking water treatment, wastewater management, and industrial water solutions.
Mr. Ibrahim highlighted METIPRO’s extensive experience in delivering large-scale water projects globally. He noted that the company, which has more than 70 years of experience and completed over 5,000 projects across more than 50 countries, combines advanced engineering capabilities with the ability to mobilize international financing for major infrastructure developments.
He assured the Government of Sierra Leone that METIPRO was prepared to provide technical support at no cost while working closely with the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to identify priority projects and explore appropriate financing models.
Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Macarthy said the Government remained committed to attracting credible private sector investment to transform Sierra Leone’s water sector. She identified seawater desalination as one of the country’s most promising long-term solutions for improving water access, particularly in the Western Area and other coastal communities.
The Minister acknowledged that while Sierra Leone has abundant freshwater resources, its extensive Atlantic coastline provides a strategic opportunity to utilize desalination technology as part of efforts to strengthen national water security.
She also emphasized the importance of the Rokel River Basin, noting that previous feasibility studies on the basin could serve as a valuable foundation for future investment and development. She further sought details on the financing models METIPRO has successfully applied in Africa and the Middle East.
In response, Mr. Ibrahim explained that the company supports water infrastructure projects through a combination of government-backed financing arrangements, export credit facilities, and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models designed to suit the priorities and financial circumstances of partner countries.
He reaffirmed METIPRO’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s water sector and recommended a diversified approach combining conventional water treatment, seawater desalination, and brackish water treatment to achieve sustainable and long-term water security.
The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing on a roadmap for continued engagement. Dr. Macarthy stressed that the Government would conduct comprehensive due diligence before entering any formal partnership, including a technical assessment of METIPRO’s operations and completed projects in Egypt.
She welcomed METIPRO’s invitation for a Sierra Leonean delegation to visit the company’s facilities and assess its ongoing and completed projects before further discussions on financing arrangements and implementation strategies.
Both sides agreed to continue discussions after the proposed study visit, with any future partnership subject to the Government’s established approval procedures, including Cabinet review and engagement with the Ministry of Finance where required.
METIPRO is an engineering, procurement, and construction company specializing in advanced water and wastewater treatment, desalination, and industrial water solutions. Formerly the design and build division of the Metito Group, the company was acquired by Egyptian infrastructure firm Hassan Allam Holding to expand the delivery of sustainable water infrastructure projects across the Middle East, North Africa, and other regions.