Sierra Leone links climate technologies and businesses through new group
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sierra Loaded
Sierra Leone has launched a working group to connect climate adaptation technologies with businesses, investors and financial institutions. The initiative is intended to promote the commercialisation of solutions in water, energy and food, with support from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and the Global Environment Facility.
The CATBIE project launched a technical working group in Freetown to connect climate change adaptation technologies with businesses, investors and financial institutions. The launch of the Adaptation Innovation Technical Working Group (AITWG) took place on 29 October 2026 under the Climate Adaptation Technology, Business Model Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone project, supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Global Environment Facility, according to Sierra Loaded.
The group is intended to promote the development and commercialisation of adaptation products and services in the water, energy and food sectors. UNIDO’s representative in Sierra Leone, Mariatu Swarray, said climate adaptation should also be seen as an opportunity for economic development, particularly for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, which contribute to employment and innovation.
Its first workshop is to examine and validate the group’s mandate and operating framework, set governance rules, allocate responsibilities and establish a roadmap. The director-general of the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Development Agency and national director of the CATBIE project, Shaka Samuel Sannoh, also called for stronger cooperation around the initiative, according to Sierra Loaded.
