By: Saidu Jalloh
Freetown Innovation Lab, in partnership with Acumen, has launched the Circular Economy, Green Jobs and Enterprise Development Programme aimed at empowering 300 aspiring green entrepreneurs from five communities across Sierra Leone to transform waste into economic opportunities and promote environmental sustainability.
The initiative targets participants from Dwarzark, Kroo Bay, Susan’s Bay, Waterloo and Tombo, with a focus on equipping young people and community members with practical skills to establish environmentally friendly businesses, create employment and contribute to cleaner communities.
The programme is built around the concept of a circular economy, which encourages the reuse, recycling and recovery of waste materials instead of allowing them to accumulate in communities or contribute to environmental pollution.
Speaking during the launch in Kroo Bay, Mohamed A. Kamara, Co-founder and Director of Freetown Innovation Lab, encouraged residents to recognize the economic value of waste and explore opportunities to turn discarded materials into useful products and sources of income.
He said communities such as Kroo Bay possess significant opportunities for green entrepreneurship, particularly if residents are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to manage waste effectively and develop sustainable businesses.
Mr. Kamara stressed that waste should not only be viewed as an environmental problem but also as a potential source of livelihood for people willing to explore innovative ways of recycling, reusing and converting discarded materials into marketable products.
He urged participants to take the training seriously, noting that the knowledge and practical skills they would acquire could open new doors for employment, business development and financial independence.
He further assured participants that start-up kits would be provided to trainees after the training, giving them support to begin applying their newly acquired skills and establish green enterprises.
According to him, the programme is intended to go beyond training by encouraging participants to translate their knowledge into practical economic activities that can benefit their households and communities.
The initiative is expected to provide participants with an opportunity to explore different areas of the green economy, including waste management, recycling, resource recovery and other environmentally sustainable business ventures.
Also speaking at the launch, Chief Alimay Maruf Conteh expressed appreciation to Freetown Innovation Lab and Acumen for selecting the Kroo Bay community to benefit from the initiative.
He described the programme as an important opportunity for community members, particularly those seeking practical skills and alternative sources of livelihood, and pledged his support to ensure that the selected participants fully engage in the training.
Chief Conteh encouraged the trainees to remain committed, work diligently and make their community proud by taking advantage of the opportunity presented to them.
He emphasised that their participation could become a turning point in their lives if they applied the lessons learned and used the skills to develop sustainable businesses.
The chief also called on participants to demonstrate discipline, dedication and a willingness to learn throughout the training process, stressing the importance of using the opportunity to improve their livelihoods while contributing to the development of their community.
The launch marks a step towards promoting a green economy in the participating communities, where waste management challenges can be addressed through innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation.
In densely populated communities such as Kroo Bay, effective waste management remains important for protecting public health and the environment. By encouraging residents to view waste as a resource, the programme seeks to connect environmental responsibility with practical economic benefits.
Through the partnership between Freetown Innovation Lab and Acumen, the initiative aims to nurture a new generation of green entrepreneurs capable of developing sustainable solutions to local environmental challenges while creating income-generating opportunities.
With 300 aspiring green entrepreneurs expected to benefit across Dwarzark, Kroo Bay, Susan’s Bay, Waterloo and Tombo, the programme signals a commitment to strengthening community-level innovation and expanding opportunities in the green economy.
As the training gets underway, the success of the initiative will depend on participants’ commitment, the practical application of their skills and their ability to turn the knowledge gained into viable enterprises.
For the beneficiaries, the message is clear: waste can become wealth when innovation, skills and enterprise come together.
Green Skills Today, A Brighter Tomorrow.