The additional funding will help to support integrated landscape management (ILM) and biodiversity conservation, as well as improving food security and resilience in vulnerable communities.
The World Bank has approved an additional $18.34 million grant to support Sierra Leone’s biodiversity protection, environmental sustainability, and climate change resilience through increased investments in Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). The funding, provided by the Global Environment Facility’s Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), will be used to expand activities under Phase 2 of the West Africa Food System Resilience Program (FSRP), a major regional initiative aimed at transforming food systems throughout West Africa.
A Step Forward in Climate-Resilient Development
The additional funding will help to support integrated landscape management (ILM) and biodiversity conservation, as well as improving food security and resilience in vulnerable communities. The World Bank stated that the funds will be used to promote climate-smart agriculture, restore degraded ecosystems, and build community capacity for adaptive land use and natural resource management.
“Climate change poses a severe risk to food security and livelihoods, especially in rural areas where most people live,” said Abdu Muwonge, World Bank Country Manager for Sierra Leone. “This additional funding will help Sierra Leone improve its ability to adapt to these challenges by encouraging sustainable agricultural practices and a more resilient food system. The grant reflects the World Bank’s ongoing partnership with the Sierra Leone government in addressing critical development challenges and fostering a secure, prosperous future for its citizens.
The project will provide technical and financial assistance to expand nature-based and ecosystem-led interventions for restoring forests, wetlands, and watersheds. It will also introduce more climate-resilient crop varieties, diversify incomes through eco-enterprise development, and raise environmental awareness among community members.
Strengthening Regional Food System Resilience
The West Africa Food System Resilience Program (FSRP), which began in 2022, is a $1.17 billion regional initiative that promotes food security, agricultural innovation, and climate resilience in eight West African countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. The program also involves key regional institutions, such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), and the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF).
With this latest grant, Sierra Leone’s total FSRP financing now stands at $153.34 million. The country’s component is dedicated to developing food systems that can withstand climate shocks, reduce poverty, and ensure long-term food security.
Adetunji Oredipe, World Bank Senior Agriculture Economist and Task Team Leader, stated that the new funding will help the country accelerate its transition to sustainable food systems. “This grant will support activities that advance climate change mitigation and adaptation objectives, such as restoring degraded landscapes and modifying agricultural production techniques to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said the administrator. “The additional resources will enable the project to reach more beneficiaries and ultimately contribute to a stronger and more resilient food sector.”
Nature-based solutions are at the core of climate adaptation.
Sierra Leone’s climate change and environmental degradation strategy relies heavily on nature-based solutions. These include reforestation, soil and water conservation, agroforestry, and the restoration of mangroves and wetlands to mitigate flooding and coastal erosion.
The LDCF-funded initiative will also invest in community-driven integrated landscape management, which will connect local development priorities to larger ecological goals. Training and awareness programs will assist farmers and local governments in implementing practices that improve soil fertility, water retention, and biodiversity protection.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change will oversee the project’s implementation, working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and other government agencies in charge of watershed management, forestry, and rural development.
Aligning with the National Climate and Development Goal
The initiative directly supports Sierra Leone’s 2021 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement and the National Adaptation Plan. Both documents highlight climate-smart agriculture and ecosystem restoration as critical components of national climate action.
The project’s goal is to create a coherent framework for scaling up nature-based and sustainable agricultural solutions across the country through policy reform, research, and local capacity-building.
Building Resilience Through Partnership
The new grant demonstrates the World Bank’s ongoing commitment to climate financing and inclusive growth in West Africa. The Bank works with the Global Environment Facility and the Least Developed Countries Fund to help vulnerable nations strengthen their resilience to environmental and economic shocks.
The World Bank’s support is consistent with its larger mission of eradicating extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity through climate action. In Sierra Leone, the Bank has played an important role in promoting rural livelihoods, renewable energy access, and disaster recovery efforts.
As the country faces mounting climate challenges, the expansion of the FSRP provides an opportunity to connect food security and ecosystem preservation, ensuring Sierra Leone’s development path remains both sustainable and inclusive.
