Access to safe and reliable water remains one of Freetown’s most persistent urban challenges, shaped by the combined impacts of post-conflict recovery, rapid urbanisation, overstretched public utilities and growing climate pressures. These conditions have left large sections of the population, particularly women and young people, facing daily hardships in securing clean water, reinforcing social and economic vulnerabilities across the city.
Despite its status as a capital city, water access in Freetown remains severely limited. Data from the African Development Bank highlights that only a small fraction of the population has water directly on their premises, while the majority depend on unsafe sources. This gap in basic services has significant implications for public health, livelihoods and gender equity.
Launched in 2020, the Blue Peace Financing Initiative was designed to address these challenges through investments in solar-powered water kiosks and public sanitation facilities. By relying on renewable energy rather than fossil fuels or grid electricity, the initiative simultaneously expands access to clean water and reduces carbon emissions, embedding climate considerations into urban service delivery.
Early assessments of the initiative show tangible improvements. Usage of the kiosks has led to measurable gains in microbial water quality and notable improvements in household water security, indicating that small-scale, decentralised infrastructure can generate meaningful outcomes for communities that have long been underserved.
At the core of the initiative is an innovative financing partnership led by the United Nations Capital Development Fund and the Freetown City Council, with support from international partners. By linking concessional financing to sustainability and social outcomes, the model integrates environmental responsibility, financial viability and community ownership into a single framework for infrastructure development.
The financing structure deliberately embeds sustainability as a condition for capital deployment. Affordable water sales generate predictable revenue streams, strengthening the city council’s long-term investment case while demonstrating how early-stage catalytic finance can de-risk public infrastructure and attract additional funding for inclusive urban services.
A critical element of the initiative is its strong community-driven approach. Local residents and councillors were directly involved in selecting kiosk locations and formalising agreements, ensuring that infrastructure responds to real needs and fostering trust between communities and local authorities.
The project has also transformed gender roles within the water sector. For the first time in Freetown, women are leading the operation and management of water kiosks, shifting them from being informal water carriers to decision-makers and entrepreneurs. This change not only improves service reliability but also addresses long-standing gender-based vulnerabilities linked to water access.
With tens of thousands of residents now benefiting from clean and affordable water, the integration of women into leadership roles has strengthened both social equity and system sustainability. Women-led operations have emerged as a cornerstone of the initiative’s success, reinforcing the link between inclusion and effective service delivery.
Beyond its immediate impact, the Blue Peace Financing Initiative offers a scalable model for other cities. Revenues are reinvested through structured financial mechanisms, creating a self-sustaining cycle that supports maintenance and future expansion. This approach aligns with broader efforts to use blended finance to unlock local government capacity across Africa.
Ultimately, the initiative represents more than an infrastructure upgrade. It demonstrates how innovative financing, community participation and gender inclusion can converge to address entrenched urban challenges, positioning Freetown as a model for resilient, inclusive and climate-smart urban development.
