In the hills and crowded valleys of Freetown, Sierra Leone’s bustling capital city, access to safe and reliable water remains one of the city’s most persistent challenges.

Following the civil war, rapid urbanization, an overstretched public utility system and climate-related pressures have left thousands of Freetonians (mostly women and youth) vulnerable to the daily struggles of finding clean water.

Access to clean water in Freetown remains a major challenge. According to a 2015 report by the African Development Bank, only 11 percent of Sierra Leoneans have water on their premises, while 58 percent rely on unsafe sources. The Blue Peace Financing Initiative seeks to change this by investing in solar-powered water kiosks and public toilets across the city. This initiative not only enhances water access but also reduces carbon emissions by reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-based power or grid electricity. Early evaluation of kiosk usage in Freetown shows measurable benefits: a 0.6 percent improvement in microbial water quality and an 8.2 percent uplift in household water security metrics.

Amid these challenges, a quiet revolution is underway. The Freetown Blue Peace Financing Initiative, a pioneering collaboration between the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Freetown City Council (FCC) funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and further supported by United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, is changing how the city approaches water access and infrastructure financing.

By combining concessional financing tied to sustainability outcomes with community-driven service models, the initiative integrates solar-powered water kiosks to reduce carbon emissions while expanding access to water to local communities.

These design choices were built into the project’s financing framework, making environmental sustainability a core condition of capital deployment. Revenue projections from affordable water sales demonstrate the initiative's potential to generate returns and support FCC’s long-term investment case, showcasing how UNCDF’s early-stage investments can de-risk public infrastructure and catalyse financially viable, socially inclusive solutions.

James Kabia of UNCDF with community stakeholders involved in a signed agreement to grant rights to land for use for construction of the water infrastructure project in Freetown, Sierra Leone, September 2025. Credit: James Kabia/UNCDF.

Investing in climate-smart infrastructures

UNCDF provided a $1.1 million reimbursable grant to the Freetown City Council, marking the first time the Council was able to access this form of catalytic financing to build its credit profile and demonstrate financial readiness for future investments. Building on this momentum, UNCDF, through the Peacebuilding Secretariat, successfully mobilized an additional $1.49 million grant from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, crowding in new capital to deepen the initiative’s impact.

The Blue Peace Financing Initiative, which commenced in 2020, seeks to change this by investing in solar-powered water kiosks and public toilets across the city. This initiative not only enhances water access but also reduces carbon emissions by reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-based power or grid electricity. Early evaluation of kiosk usage in Freetown already shows measurable benefits: a 0.6 percent improvement in microbial water quality and an 8.2 percent uplift in household water security metrics.

Completed water kiosks in Freetown, Sierra Leone, September, 2025. Photo credit: James Kabia/UNCDF.

Women-led operations

The project places communities at the centre of decision-making. Local councillors and 746 residents from 24 neighbourhoods actively participated in selecting kiosk locations, ensuring that the infrastructure serves the greatest number of people. Public agreements were signed in community meetings, fostering trust and collaboration. As Aminata Bangura, a community leader from Crab Town, Lumley, notes, "We feel heard and valued, which motivates us to support the initiative fully."

Aminata, Community Activist and Water Kiosk Operator, Sierra Leone. Photo credit: James Kabia/UNCDF.

For the first time in Freetown’s history, women are not just water collectors but operators of the water kiosks, a shift that directly challenges the traditionally male-dominated water value chain. In the past, women and girls, despite being the primary users of water, were relegated to the role of carriers, facing significant vulnerabilities, including sexual exploitation and abuse as they had to trade their bodies for access to scarce water resources.

The Blue Peace Financing Initiative is turning this dynamic on its head by placing women at the forefront of water access and management. With 20 water kiosks already handed over to women-led operations, these kiosks empower women with both economic independence and decision-making power. As Hawa Kamara, a kiosk operator in Calaba Town, states, "We are decision-makers now, not at the mercy of an unreliable system."

“A game changer”

Currently, about 65,000 to 70,000 residents of the targeted communities are accessing clean and affordable water thanks to these kiosks. The integration of women into the operational side of these kiosks not only ensures a more sustainable water distribution system but also provides a platform for women to thrive in leadership roles as highlighted by Alhassan Kalokoh, FCC Councillor "Women now have a voice in decisions about water access. It’s a game-changer for equity in our city."

"Freetown is setting an example for other cities in the region. This project shows that local governments, with the right financial tools and community support, can solve even the most entrenched challenges."

A scalable financing model for other African cities

The innovative financing model behind the Blue Peace initiative ensures long-term sustainability. Through affordable water sales, kiosks generate income which will sit in an escrow account creating a self-sustaining cycle of investment and maintenance. This aligns with UNCDF’s broader vision of blended finance solutions, enabling FCC to scale up to address financing needs for other infrastructure across the city. The model could also be replicated in other cities across Sierra Leone and the continent.

As UNCDF’s Alfred Akibo-Betts notes, "Freetown is setting an example for other cities in the region. This project shows that local governments, with the right financial tools and community support, can solve even the most entrenched challenges."

The Blue Peace initiative is more than just a water project. It is a scalable model for inclusive, bottom-up sustainable urban development and an innovative financial model to recycle capital and extend its impact on communities in frontier markets.

Meanwhile, in Freetown, every drop of water is a symbol of empowerment, innovation, and hope—a bold step toward a brighter, more resilient future.