By John Marah
From pavement bricks to biogas, and from discarded tires to designer furniture—the Freetown Innovation Lab is rewriting the story of waste.
In an exclusive interview at the Lab’s factory in Kortwright, adjacent to the Fourah Bay College Field, Financial Standards sat down with Mohamed A. Kamara, co-founder and Managing Director of the Freetown Innovation Lab. Kamara is spearheading a circular economy movement that treats waste not as a problem, but as untapped potential.
Waste to Wealth: Innovation With Impact
“The Freetown Innovation Lab was founded with a core focus on turning waste into usable products,” Kamara said. “We’re not here to innovate for the sake of innovation—we’re building market-ready solutions for real problems.”
The Lab operates at the intersection of waste management and renewable energy, guided by circular economy principles. It processes three major waste streams—plastic, used tires, and organic material—to produce everything from household furniture and pavement bricks to eco-paint and clean cooking fuel.
Through a partnership with Green Tech Energy, organic waste is converted into biogas via biodigesters, with residuals repurposed as organic fertilizer.
To sustain its raw material supply, the Lab introduced a “waste bank” system, allowing residents to sell plastic and organic waste for cash.
“This has changed people’s mindset,” Kamara said. “Now, they see waste as something valuable—something they can earn money from.”
The system not only drives recycling, but also injects income into local households, incentivizing environmental stewardship.
Durable, Certified, and In Demand
All products undergo quality assurance testing in collaboration with civil engineering departments to meet international standards.
“We don’t just make eco-friendly products,” Kamara said. “We make products that are durable, functional, and competitive.”
With more than 5,000 customers served, the Lab’s clientele includes everyone from low-income households to high-level officials, including Minister of Tourism, whose monthly orders have exceeded $1,000.
Growth, Funding Gaps, and Regional Expansion
Despite local recognition and partnerships with the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and interest from the Chief Minister’s office, Kamara said financing remains the biggest hurdle.
“Over $1,000 has gone into machinery, but scaling production and ensuring quality requires more capital,” he said.
While the Lab has caught the attention of agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of the Environment, Kamara says public-private partnerships are still lacking.
Looking beyond Sierra Leone, the Lab has started expanding into Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon—countries facing similar waste challenges. “The problems are the same, so our solutions apply across borders,” Kamara said.
A Zero-Waste Vision for Sierra Leone
Kamara’s long-term goal is simple but ambitious:
“In my lifetime, I want to see Sierra Leone achieve zero plastic waste. I want people to understand that what we throw away can be treasure. That’s our mission.”
The Lab’s model goes beyond recycling—it’s about innovation, job creation, clean energy, and transforming how people perceive and manage waste.
“We’re redesigning how waste is seen, how it’s handled, and how it can power a new kind of local economy.”
A Call for Collaboration
“Whether you’re an investor in the UK or an NGO in the US—we’re open. We’re ready to collaborate. We need people who see the future we’re building: cleaner streets, empowered communities, and an economy that runs on what others throw away.”
To learn more or explore partnerships, visit the Freetown Innovation Lab Factory in Kortwrights, adjacent to Fourah Bay College Field, or contact them through their official channels.
