By Mohamed Konneh
The Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) has secured approval for its Financial Year 2027 budget at the ongoing Bilateral Policy Hearing and Budget Discussions taking place at the Miata Conference Centre, Youyi Building in Freetown.
The approval followed the presentation of the water agency’s budget proposal for the year 2027.
Making his presentation the Deputy Managing Director Dr. Albert Harrison Harvey said SALWACO’s proposition for Financial Year 2027, is anchored on financial discipline and service delivery.
He said the proposed recurrent ceiling for FY2027 stands at NLe 4.5131 billion, with figures stated in thousands of Leones and for revenue generation, the entity has set a target of NLe 17.698 million for FY2027, representing a 3.8% increase above the FY2026 annual target.
This he said shows a commitment to improved revenue recovery and on it strategic investments, the institution requires US$13.707 million for FY2027 under its 2026-2030 Strategic Development Plan (SDP) to complete advanced assets and modernize its systems.
‘However, the financial performance for the first half of 2026 shows a net loss of NLe 14.14 million, making financial recovery a central focus of the 2027 budget.
On funding, the requested budget is meant to protect daily production, modernise the commercial system, complete ongoing advanced assets, and ensure that every allocation is linked to a measurable service result,’’ he said.
The Deputy Managing Director noted that the 2027 SALWACO budget is built on four pillars: Operating continuity, Revenue recovery, Project completion, and Public accountability.
On the strategic objective alignment, Dr. Harvey noted that the government of Sierra Leone’s 2023-2028 Manifesto priorities is the corner stone of the agency’s development and that SALWACO is committed to becoming an exemplary State-Owned Enterprise in the water service utility sector.
‘’Our strategic objective and direction for the period 2025-2030 are designed to position SALWACO as a provider of safe, reliable and affordable water supply service, delivering exceptional value to all stakeholders. We are committed to the highest standards of water quality and service reliability. Our strategy involves modernizing water treatment facilities, adopting advanced water quality monitoring systems and implementing robust maintenance practice to minimise service disruption,’’ he narrated.
SALWACO’s mandate make up Sierra Leone’s four main regions and area with the agency’s coverage estimated to cover about 83.3 percent of the national population.
The agency covers six cities, eight districts capitals and thirty other towns.
Despite progress over the years, SALWACO is challenge in many fronts
Weak revenue base remains a major challenge with people who don’t want to pay for water, which is its main income source.
High Non-Revenue Water – about 30% of water produced is lost and not billed. Net Loss of NLe 14.14m in H1 2026 and financial recovery is now central. Dependence on government subvention, delays in payment by Ministry of Finance and depreciation of Leone against dollar is another challenge.
