In a recent meeting with the World Bank’s Third Inclusive and Sustainable Growth Financing DPO Technical Mission, Freetown’s Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr outlined a strategic vision to create 120,000 green jobs by 2028, as part of the city’s Transform Freetown-Transforming Lives 2024-2028 Development Plan.
This new initiative aims to boost employment opportunities for women and youth through a variety of green projects, including enhanced afforestation and waste management efforts. The World Bank’s involvement is seen as crucial in scaling up these successful environmental programs.
The Transform Freetown-Transforming Lives agenda builds on the successes of the previous 2019-2022 plan and focuses on four key areas: Climate Action, Heritage Tourism, Digital Economy, and Human Capital Development. The plan was developed through extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including development partners, NGOs, parliamentarians, and local residents.
The next four years will see significant investments in:
- Reforestation and green energy projects
- Improvements in waste management infrastructure
- Upgrades to informal settlements and city regeneration
- Promotion of Freetown as a cultural and heritage destination
- Expansion of digital skills and support for digital transformation
- Enhancements in water access, primary healthcare, and urban farming
This initiative is designed to drive economic growth, foster environmental sustainability, and improve the overall quality of life in Freetown.
