By Abdul Kamara

Sierra Leone is set to receive a $40 million grant from the World Bank through the International Development Association (IDA) to launch the Sierra Leone Water Security and WASH Access Improvement Project, an ambitious effort to transform access to clean water, sanitation, and climate resilience. The grant marks the first phase of a $180 million programme that will unfold over the next decade.

The initial phase of the project will target the Western Area and is expected to bring meaningful improvements to at least five million people. Among those who stand to benefit are 2.5 million women and 1.5 million young people who will gain access to reliable water supply systems, modern sanitation services, and institutional reforms designed to strengthen long-term sustainability.

Despite the country’s heavy rainfall, many Sierra Leoneans still face water scarcity because of poor infrastructure and governance gaps. Current figures reveal that only 63 percent of the population has access to basic water services, while just 23 percent enjoy improved drinking water sources within their homes. Sanitation is in an even more fragile state, with only 32 percent of the population using basic or safely managed facilities, and just 12 percent having access to hygiene services.

The new World Bank project aims to tackle these challenges directly. Along with upgrading infrastructure, it will help build systems that can deliver water and sanitation services more effectively. Officials say the project will also have a positive impact on the economy, creating at least 1,400 jobs during infrastructure expansion and providing training to 600 sector professionals to improve service delivery.

In practical terms, the project will add 50,000 cubic meters of fecal sludge treatment capacity each year and improve water services for at least 400,000 people in the Western Area. Another 1.3 million people nationwide are expected to benefit from improved sanitation and hygiene, while 80,000 will gain access to upgraded public facilities.

At the institutional level, the project will support reforms at the Guma Valley Water Company, help develop a national water resources master plan, and roll out a nationwide campaign to make Sierra Leone open-defecation free.

Abdu Muwonge, the World Bank Country Manager for Sierra Leone, described the initiative as a turning point. “This project is a critical step forward. It enhances public health, environmental sustainability, and lays the foundation for resilient economic growth,” he said.

Future phases of the $180 million programme will focus on expanding reforms, strengthening regulation, and attracting additional funding to ensure the sector’s long-term success. For Sierra Leoneans, the project represents more than new infrastructure, it signals a commitment to dignity, health, and sustainable development for millions across the country.