Freetown, Sierra Leone Launched 2025

Sierra Leone

In Freetown, HERA is working alongside women, market leaders, and city officials to confront the growing threat of extreme heat. As the capital of Sierra Leone expands rapidly, rising temperatures and unplanned urban growth are intensifying heat exposure—especially for women who are concentrated in markets, informal settlements and outdoor work.

More than 35% of Freetown’s residents—a majority of whom are women—live in informal settlements, where homes constructed from corrugated iron and tin trap heat indoors, turning houses into ovens long after sunset. At the same time, the city’s economy relies heavily on informal, outdoor labor. Women traders, vendors, and workers are therefore exposed to dangerous heat both at home and at work—often with limited access to cooling, healthcare, or financial protection.

Partnering closely with the local government and community stakeholders, HERA is co-designing practical, scalable solutions codified in Freetown’s (and Africa’s) first ever Heat Action Plan that includes everything from heat action planning to early warning systems to urban shade structures that reduce heat risk while strengthening women’s livelihoods and leadership in shaping the city’s resilience future.

Sierra Leone Memunatu Kamara in Congo Market, November 1, 2025 HERA/Olivia Acland

Program Highlight

Cooling Freetown’s Markets

Freetown’s outdoor markets are economic lifelines for thousands of women informal workers. However, extreme heat is cutting vendors’ incomes by up to 60%, threatening household stability and food security.

Women traders face multiple intersecting challenges: declining incomes from heat-damaged goods, high water costs to preserve produce, exposure to heat-related illnesses (dehydration, respiratory diseases, heat rash), and limited coping mechanisms.

In response, HERA is co-creating shade and cooling infrastructure with market women, engineers, and the city. Projects in three major markets—Bombay Street, Congo, and Dove Cot—include:

  • Shade structures to block scorching sun
  • Solar-powered lights for safety
  • Cold storage and fans to protect health and goods

These solutions will shield traders and protect customers from brutal heat—improving income, dignity, and daily life.

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