The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved the Sierra Leone Water Security and WASH Access Improvement Project, a major initiative aimed at addressing the country’s pressing water security and sanitation challenges. Supported by a $40 million International Development Association (IDA) grant focused on the Western Area, the project marks the first phase of a Multiphase Programmatic Approach totaling $180 million over the next decade.
The project is designed to improve sector institutions, strengthen WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services for millions of Sierra Leoneans, and increase water resource management and climate resilience across the country.
“This project represents a critical step forward for Sierra Leone in addressing its water security and sanitation challenges,” said Abdu Muwonge, World Bank Group Country Manager for Sierra Leone. “By strengthening institutions, improving infrastructure, and fostering community engagement, the project will enhance public health and environmental sustainability. It will also lay the foundation for resilient economic growth and human development, underscoring the World Bank’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s journey toward universal access to safely managed WASH services and a climate-resilient future.”
Sierra Leone’s water and sanitation sector faces significant challenges. Despite abundant rainfall, the country experiences economic water scarcity due to limited infrastructure, inefficient service delivery, and poor governance. Currently, only 63% of the population has access to basic water services, and just 23% have improved drinking water sources on premises. Sanitation access is even more limited, with only 32% of the population having access to safely managed or basic sanitation, and only 12% having basic hygiene facilities. These issues are compounded by weak institutions, inadequate financing, poor coordination, and vulnerability to climate change.
To address these challenges, the Sierra Leone Water Security and WASH Access Improvement Project will focus on several key objectives:
The project will enhance the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, as well as other relevant sector institutions. This includes the development of policy and regulatory frameworks, capacity building for staff, and the creation of a national water resources master plan.
The project will help upgrade water supply infrastructure, improve the operational efficiency of the Guma Valley Water Company, and increase access to safe water in schools and health centers.
It will focus on expanding access to toilets and hygiene facilities in schools, health centers, and public spaces. The project will also expand fecal sludge treatment capacity and launch a national behavior change campaign to make Sierra Leone “Open-Defecation Free.”
The project will support the development of a mechanism to pool government and partner funds to advance the WASH agenda. The project is expected to benefit approximately 5 million people through climate-resilient planning and improved WASH services. Specifically, 2.5 million women and 1.5 million youth will benefit from improved services. 400,000 people in the Western Area will gain access to improved water services. 1.3 million people will gain access to improved sanitation and hygiene services, including 80,000 benefiting from better sanitation in public facilities.
The project will also create approximately 1,400 direct jobs, strengthen the capacity of about 600 sector professionals, and expand fecal sludge treatment to 50,000 cubic meters per year, marking a significant step toward a healthier and more resilient Sierra Leone.
“This project is the first step of a 10-year partnership that will tackle Sierra Leone’s water and sanitation challenges comprehensively and strategically,” said Xavier Chauvot De Beauchene, World Bank Lead Water Specialist and Task Team Leader. “By strengthening institutions, improving operational efficiency, and promoting better sanitation practices, this partnership will lead to tangible improvements in water security and WASH access. It will also contribute to improving public health and implementing climate-resilient solutions for a more sustainable environment.”