Climate Fund Managers (CFM), a blended finance investment manager dedicated to addressing climate challenges across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, has announced its latest initiative to co-develop a 30MW municipal waste-to-energy project in Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone. This project is being undertaken in partnership with Infinitum Energy Group and aims to tackle the pressing issues of waste management and energy access in the region.
CFM has committed $3.1 million in development funding from its EU-supported Climate Investor Two Fund, which focuses on blended finance solutions for water, waste, and ocean infrastructure in emerging markets. This investment is part of a broader strategy to create sustainable and scalable solutions to environmental challenges.
Sierra Leone is currently grappling with significant waste management issues exacerbated by rapid urbanization and insufficient infrastructure. Overwhelmed dumpsites, such as Kingtom and Kissy—established in the 1940s and 1980s, respectively—have given rise to numerous illegal dumping sites. These conditions pose severe health risks, contribute to clogged waterways that increase flood risks, and lead to the release of hazardous materials into the environment. Compounding these challenges, only 22% of the population has access to electricity, with up to 40% of that power generated from costly and environmentally harmful fossil fuels, leaving millions without a reliable energy source.
The new waste-to-energy facility is designed to provide a dependable baseload power supply, which will complement the existing hydropower resources in the country and help mitigate energy shortages, particularly during the dry season.
Darron Johnson, the regional head of Africa at CFM, stated;
This waste-to-energy project exemplifies our commitment to creating scalable solutions that address climate, social, and economic challenges in Africa. By transforming Freetown’s waste into a sustainable energy source, we’re not only reducing emissions but also catalyzing economic opportunities and improving community health. This partnership underscores the importance of blended finance in absorbing early-stage project risks and developing innovative infrastructure solutions in emerging markets.
Lindsay Nagle, CEO of Infinitum Energy Group, expressed pride in partnering with CFM on this landmark initiative.
“Infinitum is proud to partner with CFM on this landmark project. By leveraging proven technology and a robust public-private partnership model, we are addressing two critical issues facing Freetown: waste management and reliable energy access. Together, we are demonstrating what is possible when private sector innovation and government collaboration come together to pave the way for a cleaner, greener future for Sierra Leone.
