In addition to its primary bilateral programs in health and democracy, human rights and governance, USAID is also helping to advance the Government of Sierra Leone’s development priorities in combating gender-based violence, energy development, the environment, and aquaculture development:
Energy – through the Power Africa initiative, USAID supports the Sierra Leonean Government in its efforts to end energy poverty. USAID work entails assisting on grid/off grid electrification and power utilities’ performance, supporting sector reform and power generation by providing transaction advisory assistance to flagship generation projects.
Environment & Biodiversity – The West Africa Biodiversity and Low Emission Development (WABILED) activity is supporting partners to strengthen the capacity of national networks and institutions to enforce wildlife trafficking laws across the region, implement regional and transboundary cooperation and biodiversity conservation in Sierra Leone and neighboring countries; and to improve capacity for economic planning and development of low emission development strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and thus contributing to national and global climate commitments.
Agriculture – USAID is partnering with a private company in supporting farmers, mainly women, through training, interest-free loans, and access to profitable market opportunities. This has the potential of increasing crop production,reducing post-harvest losses, and improving nutrition security for participants.