OPEC Fund commits to Sierra Leone's Cancer Centre and key projects

OPEC Fund commits to Sierra Leone's Cancer Centre and key projects

The President of the OPEC Fund, Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, has formally pledged support for the construction of a specialized Cancer Centre in Sierra Leone. During a high-level meeting with His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio at the OPEC Fund Headquarters, Dr. Alkhalifa reaffirmed the institution’s dedication to advancing the nation’s agriculture, energy, and economic development sectors.

Welcoming the President and the Sierra Leonean delegation, Dr. Alkhalifa commended the strengthening bilateral partnership. He emphasized the importance of following up on the strategic dialogues initiated during the 2024 Vienna Roundtable to ensure the effective implementation of shared development goals.

Dr. Alkhalifa detailed the Fund’s collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under an initiative to expand radiotherapy access in regions with critical treatment shortages. This program, which has successfully benefited the Democratic Republic of Congo, will serve as a framework for the proposed facilities in Sierra Leone.

The discussion also covered a robust portfolio of ongoing and upcoming initiatives, including the USD 30 million Livestock & Livelihoods Development Project and the USD 50 million Kambia Special Agro-Processing Zone. Additionally, the USD 50 million Bumbuna Hydro Project is currently awaiting Board approval, while the pre-feasibility study for the Kambia–Kychom road project remains under active review.

Dr. Alkhalifa further confirmed the Fund’s readiness to support the forthcoming West Africa Integration and Investment Summit. He assured President Bio of the institution’s commitment to providing technical and financial assistance to help Sierra Leone mitigate the economic volatility resulting from global geopolitical tensions.

President Bio expressed his gratitude for the OPEC Fund’s consistent partnership and its pivotal role in fostering sustainable growth. He noted that the 2024 Roundtable co-hosted by the Fund successfully secured USD 850 million in pledges, much of which is now transitioning into active investment phases.

The President also addressed the complex macroeconomic environment facing developing nations, citing rising energy costs and supply chain disruptions as significant risks to food security. He underscored the need for continued international cooperation to protect the economic progress achieved by Sierra Leone in recent years.

The commitment to the Cancer Centre represents a major milestone in President Bio’s agenda to modernize specialized healthcare. By addressing previous financing gaps, this partnership aims to provide essential treatment services for cancer patients and improve overall public health outcomes across the country.