By Ibrahim Sesay 

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with key Government institutions and development partners, has launched two interlinked initiatives aimed at bolstering waste management systems and promoting a circular economy in Sierra Leone.

The initiatives, Youth for Circularity 2030 and Shifting to Zero Waste Against Pollution (SWAP), were unveiled during an inception meeting held on Thursday 5 February 2026 at the Sierra Palms Resort on Lumley Beach Road in Freetown. The event brought together policymakers, youth leaders, academics, civil society organisations and private sector stakeholders.

Speaking at the launch, Tanzila Watta Sankoh, Team Lead for PC5D&R at UNDP Sierra Leone, described the projects as critical interventions that combine youth-led innovation with systemic environmental reforms. She disclosed that the SWAP project is a USD 5.4 million Global Environment Facility–funded programme to be implemented over six years, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA-SL) and the Freetown City Council among its key implementing partners.

Tanzila Watta Sankoh further revealed that UNDP has secured funding from Samsung to pilot e-waste collection in Sierra Leone, describing it as a groundbreaking step for the country and the region. She said the initiative marks the first time UNDP has mobilised resources from a global mobile technology company, adding that the pilot is expected to serve as a foundation for future scale-up and additional resource mobilization.

Delivering the keynote address, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Kelvin Petrini, said the launch comes at a defining moment as Freetown continues to experience rapid urbanization and rising waste generation. He noted that the city currently produces more than 135,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, a figure projected to rise beyond 350,000 tonnes by 2030 if current trends persist.

Kelvin Petrini warned that poor waste management has contributed to pollution of land and waterways, blocked drainage systems, increased flood risks and serious public health concerns, particularly around major dumping sites such as Granville Brook and Kington. However, he said the SWAP initiative seeks to reposition waste as a valuable resource capable of generating jobs, recycled materials and economic opportunities.

He explained that SWAP is part of a USD 28 million global programme implemented in five pilot cities worldwide, including Freetown and focuses on strengthening policy and institutional frameworks, promoting sustainable financing, encouraging environmentally sound technologies and ensuring inclusive public participation.

In his official opening statement, Executive Chairperson of the Environmental Protection Agency, Abu Bakarr Massaquoi, highlighted persistent challenges within the waste management system, including "weak household-level segregation, limited incentives, poor enforcement and the dominance of informal value chains".

He stressed the importance of reliable data, noting that EPA-SL has developed a national waste inventory that integrates an e-waste inventory completed last year with World Bank support.

Abu Bakarr Massaquoi disclosed that the agency is also exploring the establishment of an integrated chemical and waste management facility, which would serve as a "central hub for handling hazardous waste, storage, treatment, learning and innovation." He added: “pilot interventions under SWAP would prioritize community engagement, local solutions, private sector participation and long-term financing partnerships."

Dr Samba Sesay, delivering a speech on behalf of the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Fourah Bay College, Dr Michael Conten, said the workshop comes at a critical moment for Sierra Leone, as the country battles with increasing waste generation, environmental degradation and persistent youth unemployment.

He noted that Sierra Leone’s waste management system has long followed a linear model of “extract, consume and dispose,” which he described as unsustainable and costly. He said the circular economy offers a viable alternative by promoting resource efficiency, recycling, material recovery and innovation across the value chain, while also serving as a pathway for economic diversification, job creation and social inclusion.

According to him, the SWAP initiative aligns strongly with national and regional development frameworks, including the National Medium-Term Development Plan, environmental and sanitation policies, youth empowerment strategies and Africa-wide development agendas. He emphasized that embedding circular economy principles into education, research and waste management systems would help translate policy commitments into measurable outcomes.

Representing local Government, Deputy Mayor of the Freetown City Council, Kweku M. Lisk, said the SWAP project would strengthen the city’s climate action efforts by introducing best practices, innovative technologies and strategic partnerships, describing the initiative as a bold step towards a cleaner, healthier and more resilient Freetown.

From the youth perspective, Osman Fenfaquee, a Computer Science student at the University of Makeni, welcomed the initiative, noting that while awareness of waste management exists, many young people lack practical knowledge on waste sorting. He said innovation and digital solutions could improve waste reporting, coordination and public participation, while helping to address flooding and environmental challenges.

The inception meeting is expected to be the starting point for effective implementation by clarifying stakeholder roles, strengthening partnerships and aligning interventions toward a shared vision of zero waste and reduced pollution in Sierra Leone. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/undp-launches-youth-led-circular-economy-and-zero-waste-initiatives-in-sierra-leone/