With Critical $2 Billion Adaptation Gap… World Bank Warns Of Sierra Leone’s Vulnerability To Climate Change

By John Kelly Marah

The 2025 Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) estimates that Sierra Leone needs $2 billion in climate adaptation funding over the next five years, far beyond current resources. That’s the sobering headline from the 2025 Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) jointly released by the World Bank and IMF, which paints a grim picture of the country’s mounting vulnerability to climate change. According to the report, Sierra Leone ranks among the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, facing a dangerous mix of low adaptive capacity, poor infrastructure, and increasingly severe weather events. From rising seas to scorching heatwaves and deadly floods, climate shocks are already costing the nation an average of $20 million annually in disaster response — a figure that could balloon in the event of a major catastrophe. “We are running out of time. The cost of inaction will be far greater than the cost of adaptation,” the report warns. The threats are widespread. Sea levels along Sierra Leone’s coastline are projected to rise by as much as 0.6 meters by the end of the century, putting Freetown and other low-lying communities at extreme risk. Meanwhile, erratic rainfall patterns, droughts, and floods are already disrupting agriculture — a sector that employs over half the population and accounts for nearly 60% of GDP. Warming trends have also accelerated since the 1980s. The number of “hot days” in Sierra Leone could rise to more than 80% of the year by 2090, amplifying the risk of heat stress, food insecurity, and water shortages. Critical infrastructure is also under threat. Roads, bridges, electricity grids, and water systems are increasingly vulnerable to floods and erosion. The report calls for urgent investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. To help bridge the gap, the World Bank recently approved a $74 million grant to rehabilitate rural roads and markets, as well as a $60 million budget support operation — including a $20 million catastrophe buffer — to enhance fiscal stability in the face of climate risks. But these amounts are only a fraction of what’s needed. The $2 billion adaptation finance gap highlights the urgent need for scaled-up domestic action and international support. “The next five years are critical,” the report emphasizes. “A proactive, well-financed approach to climate resilience is no longer optional for Sierra Leone — it is essential for survival.”