Soko M. Kai-Samba, Director of Partnership at the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), is representing Sierra Leone at the 16th Conference of the Parties (CoP16) of the African Risk Capacity (ARC), which begins on April 8, 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The continental forum brings together African policymakers, development partners, and technical experts to promote collaborative approaches to climate resilience, disaster risk management, and insurance-based financial protection.
CoP16, organised by the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission and convened as a “Common African House,” provides a collaborative space for Member States to address climate-related hazards and improve cross-border responses. The conference’s sessions will focus on improving early warning systems, refining contingency planning, and increasing access to risk pooling and risk transfer instruments that can provide immediate liquidity when disaster strikes.
Director Kai Samba, who also serves as Sierra Leone’s ARC Government Coordinator, is leading discussions on partnerships and operational frameworks to strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness and resilience efforts. His active participation in the forum demonstrates the NDMA’s commitment to leveraging regional platforms and technical partnerships to strengthen national disaster risk reduction systems.
Director Kai Samba emphasised the importance of innovative financial solutions in mitigating the impact of extreme weather events and other hazards on vulnerable populations. “This platform offers African countries a one-of-a-kind opportunity to collaborate on developing long-term solutions to shared risks. Sierra Leone will benefit greatly from improved collaboration, early warning systems, and contingency planning,” he said, emphasising the practical benefits of pooled risk instruments and faster access to funds after shocks.
Mrs Mariatu Brown, Senior Deputy Financial Secretary, leads Sierra Leone’s delegation to CoP16 on behalf of the Minister of Finance. Mr Joseph Albert Fatoma, ARC Government Deputy Coordinator and Assistant Director at the Ministry of Finance, will also attend, along with other officials from relevant ministries. Their presence demonstrates a cross-sectoral commitment to integrating disaster risk financing into national planning and preparing financial and technical systems for crises.
ARC and its operational arm, ARC Ltd, were established to assist African governments in planning, preparing for, and responding to natural disasters. Member states benefit from services such as risk pooling, parametric insurance products, and access to advanced early warning and contingency planning tools. These mechanisms are intended to provide timely financial assistance in the immediate aftermath of droughts, floods, disease outbreaks, and other emergencies, thereby reducing the time between impact and response.
ARC advocates for gender-sensitive and inclusive disaster risk management to reach the most vulnerable and ensure no one is left behind, in addition to financial tools. Sierra Leone’s active participation in CoP16 aims to deepen regional cooperation, accelerate learning of best practices, and secure practical measures to strengthen national resilience as climate risks worsen.
