The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a new financing arrangement worth approximately US$211.5 million for Sierra Leone to help the country strengthen its resilience against climate-related shocks and support long-term economic stability.
The approval, announced on Thursday, comes under the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), a lending programme designed to support countries undertaking reforms aimed at addressing climate vulnerabilities and enhancing economic resilience. Sierra Leone is among the first countries in the region to access the facility.
In a related development, the IMF Executive Board also completed the third review of Sierra Leone’s programme under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), unlocking an immediate disbursement of about US$31.7 million to support the government’s economic reform agenda.
The latest funding is expected to support reforms aimed at improving climate adaptation, strengthening disaster preparedness, enhancing public investment planning, and protecting critical infrastructure from the growing impacts of climate change. Sierra Leone remains highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, including floods, landslides, coastal erosion, and changing rainfall patterns that threaten livelihoods and economic growth.
The approval marks another milestone in Sierra Leone’s ongoing engagement with the IMF. The country is currently implementing a reform programme supported by a US$253 million Extended Credit Facility approved in 2024, which focuses on restoring macroeconomic stability, reducing inflation, strengthening public finances, and promoting sustainable growth.
Government officials have previously stated that access to the RSF would complement ongoing economic reforms by providing long-term financing for climate-related investments while helping the country build resilience against future environmental and economic shocks.
The combined IMF support is expected to provide additional fiscal space for Sierra Leone as it seeks to sustain economic recovery, strengthen public finances, and address the growing challenges posed by climate change.
