The Sierra Leone Ministry of Finance reported on a three-day working visit by World Bank Group Executive Directors, during which the government outlined current economic conditions, its reform agenda and priority programmes, while the delegation reviewed the impact of World Bank-backed projects across the country. The discussions focused on development needs and delivery in sectors including agriculture, energy, education, health and infrastructure, with the ministry noting that Sierra Leone's World Bank portfolio has expanded to about USD 1 billion. The delegation comprised seven Executive Directors and three Alternate Directors representing 67 countries and 39% of World Bank voting power. Finance Minister Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura said Sierra Leone has faced four external shocks since 2018 that have affected macroeconomic stability and undermined gains in inflation, the exchange rate and debt indicators, and highlighted National Development Plan priorities including free quality education, the Feed Salone food security programme, energy, infrastructure and tourism. Sector ministers, the Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone and other agencies also discussed progress, implementation challenges and future intervention opportunities in World Bank-funded programmes. Field visits on 25 and 26 April 2026 covered the USD 30 million onion farm project in Port Loko District, the more than USD 52 million RESPITE energy project in Newton Waterloo, the more than USD 30 million Manowa Bridge project under the Smallholder Commercialization and Agribusiness Development Project, and the USD 257 million Jojoima health centre investment in Kailahun District.
Ministry of Finance (Sierra Leone) 2026-04-28
Sierra Leone Ministry of Finance briefs World Bank Executive Directors on reform priorities and USD 1 billion World Bank portfolio
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Finance reported on a three-day visit by World Bank Group Executive Directors, during which the government outlined its economic conditions, reform agenda and priority programmes, and the delegation reviewed World Bank-backed projects. Discussions covered development needs in agriculture, energy, education, health and infrastructure, with the ministry noting that Sierra Leone’s World Bank portfolio is about USD 1 billion. Field visits included a USD 30 million onion farm, the more than USD 52 million RESPITE energy project, the more than USD 30 million Manowa Bridge project and the USD 257 million Jojoima health centre investment.