The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called on the Government of Sierra Leone to strengthen transparency by making asset declarations compulsory and enforceable for senior public officials, describing the move as essential in the fight against corruption.
The recommendation is contained in the IMF’s Country Report No. 26/40, which assessed Sierra Leone’s performance under the Extended Credit Facility programme.
The report draws from the recently completed Governance and Corruption Diagnostic, highlighting asset declaration as a key pillar of ongoing governance reforms.
According to the IMF, although Sierra Leone has introduced measures aimed at improving accountability, enforcement of asset declaration rules remains inadequate.
The institution noted that for the system to be effective, declarations must not only be submitted but also verified, monitored, and made accessible where appropriate.
The Fund stated that the government intends to publish the Governance and Corruption Diagnostic and introduce stronger transparency measures, including mandatory asset disclosures for senior officials. It emphasized that proper enforcement would play a crucial role in reducing corruption risks and enhancing trust in public institutions.
The IMF further noted that improving compliance would boost investor confidence and demonstrate Sierra Leone’s commitment to strengthening governance.
The recommendation forms part of wider reforms aimed at promoting fiscal discipline, institutional credibility, and sustainable economic growth.
