By Millicent Senava Mannah
A groundbreaking effort to safeguard Sierra Leone’s urban future and address climate change challenges took place on 7 May 2025, when the Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre (SLURC), in collaboration with Ricardo PLC and the World Bank, hosted a landmark workshop at the CCSL Hall in Freetown. The event marked a critical moment for finalizing Climate Action Plans (CAPs) for the cities of Bo, Kenema and Makeni, designed to align urban development with national climate goals and strengthen Sierra Leone’s commitment to the Paris Agreement.
The gathering brought together local Government leaders, representatives from national Ministries, development partners, academic institutions, Civil Society Organizations and the private sector. The workshop marked a pivotal moment in Sierra Leone’s efforts to align local urban development with national climate strategies and international commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Dr. Braima Koroma, Director of Research and Training at the Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre, underscored the importance of harmonizing climate action across governance levels. “Today’s workshop highlights Sierra Leone’s unified approach to addressing climate change. By bringing together city officials, national stakeholders and global partners like the World Bank, we are reinforcing our commitment to building resilient and inclusive cities,” said Dr. Braima Koroma.
He emphasized that the Climate Action Plans are designed not only to align city-level strategies with national climate objectives but also to ensure that implementation reflects local priorities and capacities. The process aims to mobilize technical expertise, promote cooperation between cities and central Government as well as foster collective ownership of the country’s climate trajectory.
Key priorities addressed during the workshop included the final review of the Climate Action Plans for Bo, Kenema and Makeni; the strengthening of policy coherence between municipal and national frameworks; the identification of impactful interventions in sectors such as energy, transportation, waste management and disaster preparedness and the exploration of financing mechanisms to support implementation.
City representatives provided insight into the distinct climate-related challenges facing their localities. Deputy Mayor of Kenema, Rugiatu Sulimani Koroma, drew attention to the serious effects of unregulated waste disposal, which has led to the pollution of a local river critical to the area’s agricultural livelihood. “The river was once the lifeline of our rice farm at Chinese Farm. Now, pollution and encroachment have disrupted that system,” she said. She expressed confidence that the Climate Action Plan would provide a structured approach to address environmental degradation in the city.
Mayor of Makeni, Abubakarr Kamara, spoke to the growing concern of rising temperatures and heatwaves, which he noted have already resulted in fatalities. He welcomed the Climate Action Plan as a professional framework for mitigating the impacts of extreme heat and safeguarding public health. “The document will help us professionally and practically address climate threats,” said Mayor Abubakarr Kamara.
Representing the Bo City Council, Haja Lukay, Development Planning Officer, highlighted the threat posed by rapid urbanization and the loss of natural tree cover. She advocated for the inclusion of clear policy directives within the Climate Action Plan to guide sustainable land use and environmental conservation in Bo.
The workshop concluded with the formal validation of the Climate Action Plans, the identification of high-impact and scalable interventions and renewed commitments to coordinate policies, mobilize funding and strengthen implementation frameworks. Discussions also emphasized the importance of fostering innovation within the private sector, deepening community engagement and enhancing knowledge-sharing platforms.
With the plans now validated, the next phase involves the development of detailed implementation roadmaps, the launch of pilot initiatives and the securing of long-term financing. Ministries present at the workshop affirmed their continued support and pledged to integrate the finalized Climate Action Plans into Sierra Leone’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.
