A high-level stakeholder workshop on the Mountain Communities Bulk Water Supply Project was held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, bringing together government officials, development partners, and private sector leaders to deliberate on sustainable strategies for transforming water delivery in the rapidly expanding Western Area.
The Deep Dive Workshop, supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Adam Smith International (ASI), marked a major milestone in advancing the Government of Sierra Leone’s flagship initiative to provide safe, reliable, and affordable water to residents of the mountain communities of Regent, Gloucester, Leicester, Charlotte, Bathurst, and surrounding areas.
Government Champions Water Sector Reform and PPP Investment
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Sao-Kpato Hannah Isata Macarthy, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, reaffirmed the Government of Sierra Leone’s strong commitment to ensuring sustainable and equitable access to water and sanitation services across the country.
She emphasized that Sierra Leone’s journey toward universal access is deeply aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, highlighting that the country’s water sector transformation rests on institutional reform, sound investment planning, and innovative Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
“When I assumed office in August 2023,” Dr. Macarthy recalled, “our assessment revealed a fragmented sector with uncoordinated interventions. It became clear that we needed a comprehensive and strategic approach to strengthen institutions and improve WASH service delivery.”
That realization led to the development of the National Water and Sanitation Sector Development Plan (2025–2035), a ten-year roadmap guiding investment and reform priorities across Sierra Leone. The plan builds upon the Freetown Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan, launched in December 2022, which provides a 30-year framework for addressing Freetown’s escalating water demand.
A Flagship PPP for the Mountain Communities
As part of the Master Plan’s implementation, Freetown has been divided into four water supply zones—with the Mountain Communities Project covering the hillside settlements of Leicester, Gloucester, Charlotte, Bathurst, Regent and surrounding communities.
With support from the FCDO and ASI, consultants are designing a structured and bankable PPP transaction to deliver the project. Once completed, it will directly benefit over 306,000 residents, marking a major milestone in the government’s effort to expand safe and reliable water access.
“This project will deliver not just water infrastructure, but social impact,” Dr. Macarthy noted. “It will strengthen our capacity, improve service delivery, and demonstrate how private investment can support public good.”
She expressed appreciation to the Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning and Development, as well as the British High Commission, the Guma Valley Water Company (GVWC), Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC), Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO), and the National Water Resources Management Agency (NWRMA) for their collaboration and technical input.
UK Reaffirms Partnership and Commitment
The British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Ms. Josephine Gauld, reaffirmed the UK Government’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s efforts to address its growing water challenges.
Describing the Mountain Communities Project as “a critical intervention in tackling Freetown’s escalating water crisis,” Ms. Gauld emphasized its potential to expand access to clean water for over 300,000 residents while serving as a model for attracting private investment in essential infrastructure.
“The UK fully supports this approach,” she said. “It aligns with our global priority to mobilize private investment at scale in developing markets.”
She highlighted that British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution, has already invested over £100 million in Sierra Leone and continues to view the country as a priority frontier market.
Ms. Gauld also commended the Africa Water Infrastructure Development (AWID) and Kigali Water Limited (KWL) teams for sharing their expertise, noting that their success in implementing Africa’s first water PPP in Kigali offers valuable lessons for Sierra Leone.
A Blueprint for Sustainable Water Systems
Representing Green Growth Infrastructure Finance, Mr. Daniel Yeo presented a detailed overview of the $28 million Mountain Communities Bulk Water Supply Project, designed to provide sustainable, high-quality water to more than 306,000 people through a 27-year Public-Private Partnership.
The project will involve the construction of two new dams (Toothik and Kongo II) and modern treatment plants, substantially increasing Freetown’s bulk water production capacity.
Mr. Yeo outlined several key challenges—land acquisition, environmental impact management, and financial sustainability—but emphasized that modernization of GVWC operations is essential.
“The project must accelerate efforts to reduce non-revenue water from 45% to 15%,” he stressed.
He also underscored the need for a tariff framework that balances affordability with cost recovery and resilience to foreign exchange fluctuations, noting that the Ministry of Finance may provide up to $3 million in subsidies over ten years to ensure financial viability and protect low-income consumers.
“This project is more than an infrastructure investment,” Mr. Yeo stated. “It’s a blueprint for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient water reform in Sierra Leone.”
Fiscal Commitment and Inclusive Growth
In her remarks, the Deputy Minister of Finance, Jenneh Jabati highlighted that access to clean water underpins Sierra Leone’s Human Capital Development Agenda, one of President Julius Maada Bio’s “Big Five Game Changers.”
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to mobilize resources and collaborate with partners to ensure project success, describing the initiative as “a landmark that will lower household costs, create jobs, and boost economic activity.”
“This project gives the government an opportunity to demonstrate how limited fiscal resources can be used strategically to leverage private investment without compromising social objectives,” she concluded.
Strengthening Policy Through Partnership
Echoing this vision, Dr. Rev. Titus Williams, Deputy Minister of Economic Planning and Development, emphasized that “Water is life”—a vital enabler of health, education, and livelihoods.
He highlighted that access to safe water remains a daily challenge for many Sierra Leoneans, especially women and girls, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing these inequalities through effective partnerships.
“This workshop serves as a platform for consensus building,” Dr. Williams noted. “We are learning from successful models like Kigali’s and working toward a structure that balances public purpose with private participation. This is essential for sustainable, equitable water delivery.”
Learning from Kigali: Insights and Lessons
Three representatives from Kigali Water Limited (KWL) and Africa Water Infrastructure Development (AWID) shared insights from Rwanda’s pioneering water PPP experience.
Ahmed Tony, General Manager of Kigali Water Limited, described how the 27-year concession between KWL and Water and Sanitation Corporation of Rwanda (WASAC) successfully delivers 40,000 m³/day of treated water to over 500,000 residents, citing strong government leadership, transparent contracting, and clear performance benchmarks as keys to success.
Ivan Mutabazi, Finance Manager of KWL, elaborated on the project’s blended finance model, which combined private equity, concessional loans, and government guarantees to achieve financial sustainability while maintaining affordable tariffs.
Ehigbai Ehimiagbe, Executive Development Executive at AWID, highlighted that PPPs thrive when grounded in local ownership, policy stability, and community engagement. He identified Sierra Leone’s project as a strong candidate to replicate Kigali’s success through environmental safeguards, regulatory clarity, and participatory development.
A Shared Vision for Transformation
The workshop concluded with a shared sense of optimism and purpose. Stakeholders agreed that the Mountain Communities Bulk Water Supply Project stands as a flagship initiative—a symbol of how collaboration, innovation, and shared commitment can drive sustainable water access in Sierra Leone.
By leveraging the strengths of the public and private sectors, the initiative promises not only to reshape Freetown’s water landscape but also to serve as a model for national reform and regional learning.
As Dr. Macarthy stated, “Clean water for every Sierra Leonean is not a dream—it is a goal within reach.”
Guma Communication Unit
5th November 2025