Strengthening food security and improving health in Sierra Leone

The government of Sierra Leone is receiving two OPEC Fund loans totaling US$35 million to boost food security and livelihoods and improve health and living conditions for more than 1.4 million people.

A US$15 million loan will support the Agricultural Value Chain Development Project created by the government of Sierra Leone in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development. An estimated 260,000 people are expected to benefit across 16 districts in western Sierra Leone that are highly vulnerable to recurring food crises.  

The OPEC Fund’s contribution will finance the construction and rehabilitation of climate-resilient infrastructure including 800 km of rural roads, 20 warehouses and water supply and sanitation facilities. The creation of multi-stakeholder platforms such as agribusiness centers and farmers’ organizations will support better integration and the strengthening of skills across the value chain.  

A second loan of US$20 million aims to improve socio-economic and environmental conditions and reduce waterborne diseases for around 1.4 million people in the capital Freetown under the WASH and Aquatic Environment Revamping Project.  

The OPEC Fund’s loan will finance the construction of water supply infrastructure including treatment plants, reservoirs, transmission and distribution networks as well as the installation of 38,000 metered water service connections. The project will also include flood mapping and tree planting to promote watershed regeneration.  

OPEC Fund Director-General Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: “These projects are well-aligned with the government of Sierra Leone’s National Development Plan and New Direction Agenda. Additionally, both projects will place a strong emphasis on promoting gender equality and participation of women and youth in the economy, a high priority for the OPEC Fund as inclusiveness is a key factor in alleviating poverty.”