LIBERIA/SIERRA LEONE – IFC and Afropa have joined forces to enhance bottled water production in Liberia and Sierra Leone, aiming to boost access to clean and affordable drinking water.
Under this partnership, IFC will extend a US$20 million loan to Afropa, a prominent Liberian beverage and food production company, facilitating capacity expansion in water bottling facilities in Liberia and the refurbishment of a plant in Sierra Leone.
This initiative, expected to generate over 1,000 permanent jobs, includes the integration of solar panels to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and carbon emissions.
IFC’s financing comprises a US$10 million loan from its own account and another US$10 million from the IDA20 IFC-MIGA Private Sector Window’s Blended Finance Facility.
This support will foster Afropa’s growth, facilitate cross-border expansion, and enhance bottled water production and market accessibility.
Joe Barbar, Founder and CEO of Afropa, views this investment as instrumental in their regional expansion efforts, enabling them to provide affordable, high-quality products while fostering economic development and job creation.
Dahlia Khalifa, IFC Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, highlights the partnership’s alignment with sustainable economic growth objectives in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Through advisory services, IFC will assist Afropa in implementing ISO 22000-compliant food safety management systems and establishing a waste management process, emphasizing bottle collection, shredding, and recycling.
IFC’s support for local champions like Afropa underscores its commitment to fostering economic diversification and growth, particularly in regions affected by fragility and conflict.
This collaboration signifies a step towards enhancing access to essential resources and promoting sustainable practices within local communities.
Early last year, the U.S. Agency for International Development/Liberia (USAID/Liberia) awarded Improved Access to Safe Drinking Water in Liberia Activity, implemented by Winrock International in partnership with WaterAid and FEI Consulting LLC.
Made possible by the assistance from the American people, this five-year, US$17.9 million project aims to elevate 100,000 Liberians in Montserrado and Margibi counties to a basic level of water services by strengthening water sector governance, creating scalable models for equitable water service delivery, and mobilizing collaborative action to implement a vision where all Liberians access, use, and demand clean water services.
The project will also support local government and the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation as they transition the operations and management of three water treatment plants in the cities of Robertsport, Sanniquelle, and Voinjama to private sector management.
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