Vienna, Austria – April 10, 2026: OPEC Fund President Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa has pledged support for the construction of a Cancer Centre in Sierra Leone and reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to strengthening the country’s agriculture, energy, and economic sectors. He made the announcement during a meeting with His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio at the Fund’s headquarters in Vienna.
Welcoming President Bio and his delegation, Dr. Alkhalifa praised the deepening partnership between Sierra Leone and the OPEC Fund, noting progress since the 2024 Vienna Roundtable. He highlighted ongoing collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency to expand radiotherapy access in countries with limited treatment facilities, citing the Democratic Republic of Congo as a recent beneficiary.
Senior OPEC Fund officials briefed President Bio on several pipeline projects, including the USD 30 million Livestock & Livelihoods Development Project, USD 50 million Kambia Special Agro-Processing Zone, and the pending USD 50 million Bumbuna Hydro Project. The Fund is also reviewing the pre-feasibility study of the Kambia-Kychom road.
Dr. Alkhalifa assured President Bio of support for the upcoming West African Integration and Investment Summit and pledged assistance in mitigating the economic fallout from the Gulf conflict.
President Bio expressed gratitude for the partnership, commending the Fund’s leadership in advancing sustainable development. He highlighted the global economic pressures caused by disruptions in energy and fertilizer supply chains, warning of inflationary impacts on transport, electricity, and agriculture.
Since the 2024 Roundtable, approximately USD 370 million—43 percent of the USD 850 million pledged—has already been translated into concrete investments. The OPEC Fund’s commitment to the Cancer Centre aligns with President Bio’s longstanding goal of advancing healthcare, a project delayed due to financing challenges.
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