The opening marks the beginning of a 10‑day series of engagements running from 5–13 February 2026, bringing together key institutions across government, civil society, academia, and the private sector. Participants include the NDA Technical Committee, Ministry of Water, meteorological services, and representatives from all major water‑related ministries. The programme aims to produce a draft national roadmap for the Water Investment Programme, strengthen understanding of AU Guidelines on CRWIP, and enhance technical capacity for GCF project preparation, climate rationale development, gender and social inclusion (GEDSI), and environmental and social safeguards (ESS).
Deputy Minister Calls for Stronger Collaboration and Country Leadership
Speaking at the launch, Hon. Francis Alpha Kallon, Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, emphasized the government’s commitment to water security and climate resilience:
“This workshop represents an important milestone in Sierra Leone’s drive to secure sustainable water investments. Climate change is already affecting our communities, and building a resilient water sector is a national priority. We welcome the support of GWP, the African Union and partners, but we also reaffirm that Sierra Leone must lead this process with strong coordination, ownership, and collaboration across all sectors.”
He underscored government efforts to align national water and climate strategies with international financing opportunities, noting that the outcomes of this workshop will directly contribute to Sierra Leone’s long‑term development agenda.
GWP reaffirms commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s climate ambitions
Representing the Global Water Partnership, Sidi Coulibaly, Communication and Knowledge Management Officer for GWP West Africa, highlighted the importance of the workshop for accelerating climate‑resilient investments:
“This programme demonstrates Sierra Leone’s strong commitment to building a climate‑resilient water sector and closing the water investment gap. Through the AU–GCF Readiness Support and the Africa Water Investment Programme, GWP is proud to accompany the country in developing a robust Water Investment Programme and enhancing national capacity to access climate finance.”
He added:
“Our collective work over the coming days—strengthening climate rationale, mapping stakeholders, refining project ideas, and improving knowledge of GCF frameworks—will set the foundation for transformative, country‑driven investments. GWP remains fully committed to supporting Sierra Leone in building an inclusive and sustainable water future.”
Background
The workshop forms part of the African Union–AIP Multi‑Country Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Project, an initiative supporting 15 AU Member States to strengthen their capacity to develop Climate Resilient Water Investment Programmes (CRWIPs) and to access climate finance. The initiative is anchored in the Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP), adopted by the AU Heads of State in 2021 to close Africa’s growing water investment gap and accelerate progress toward water security, sustainable sanitation, and climate resilience.
The initiative also complements broader continental mechanisms such as the AIP–PIDA Water Investment Scorecard, which helps countries track progress and identify bottlenecks in water investment, and the Blue Africa Transboundary Water Management Action, supported by the European Union, which enhances institutional capacity for climate‑resilient water governance. Collectively, these interventions support countries—including Sierra Leone—in preparing bankable, climate‑resilient water sector programmes capable of attracting international climate finance.
