The President of the OPEC Fund for International Development, Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, has pledged support for the construction of a Cancer Centre in Sierra Leone and reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to the country’s agriculture, energy, and economic sectors.
He made the pledge during a meeting with President Julius Maada Bio at the OPEC Fund Headquarters in Vienna, where both sides reviewed progress on ongoing development cooperation since the 2024 Vienna Roundtable.
Dr. Alkhalifa highlighted collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency to expand radiotherapy access in countries with limited treatment facilities, noting similar support already extended to other African nations.
Senior officials also outlined several co-financed projects, including the Livestock and Livelihoods Development Project, the Kambia Special Agro-Processing Zone, and the Bumbuna Hydro Project, all aimed at strengthening Sierra Leone’s development agenda.
President Bio expressed appreciation for the partnership and noted that global economic shocks, including energy and food supply disruptions, continue to pose challenges for developing countries like Sierra Leone.
He warned that rising energy and fertilizer costs threaten food security and fiscal stability but reaffirmed his government’s commitment to maintaining macroeconomic progress.
The OPEC Fund’s pledge to support the Cancer Centre aligns with President Bio’s long-standing goal of expanding specialized healthcare services in Sierra Leone.
