Shifting to Zero Waste against Pollution (SWAP) Project

Sierra Leone has made a significant move towards treating waste as more than just a sanitation issue by launching the Shifting to Zero Waste against Pollution (SWAP) Project.
The inception meeting, held on November 2, 2026, at the Country Lodge Hotel, welcomed a range of implementing partners, including the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), Freetown City Council (FCC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), civil society organisations, and various government bodies.
This US$4.66 million initiative, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for a period of five years, aims to reduce pollution and enhance resource efficiency through improved waste management systems and circular economy practices. Among the five participating cities worldwide, Freetown stands out as the only one located in a least developed country.
In his keynote speech, the Executive Chairman, Dr. Abu-Bakar Massaquoi, underscored the importance of viewing waste as a valuable resource, noting that reliable data is crucial for strengthening regulatory oversight and making informed decisions. He pointed out the project’s connections to government’s broader waste governance efforts, including the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI), the National Plan for Pollution Prevention (N3P), the Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) at Masiaka, and the Sustainable Waste Management Act.
UNDP Representative Tanzilla Sankoh highlighted the project’s potential to tackle the increasing waste challenges arising from rapid urbanisation.
Meanwhile, FCC Chief Administrator Rahman Farmar reiterated the Council’s commitment to enhance waste collection, engage communities, and ensure compliance. All partners stressed the need for institutional coordination, clearly defined roles, and ongoing public participation in creating a cleaner environment and advancing Sierra Leone’s circular economy.