The Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, has reassured a visiting World Bank delegation of the government’s strong commitment to advancing Public Financial Management (PFM) reforms aimed at improving accountability and service delivery across Sierra Leone.
The assurance was given on Monday, 26 January 2026, during a courtesy meeting with a World Bank scoping mission for the proposed Strengthening Accountability and Local Oversight for the New Generation Public Financial Management Project.
The initiative is designed to enhance financial oversight, transparency, and efficiency within the public sector.
The week-long mission, running from 26 to 30 January 2026, is expected to engage with key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), local councils, and civil society organisations.
Consultations will focus on strengthening PFM accountability, improving local-level oversight mechanisms, defining project scope and activities, identifying draft results indicators, and agreeing on preparation and implementation arrangements. Discussions will also cover fiduciary, technical, environmental, and social standards, including data requirements and timelines.
Introducing the delegation, World Bank Country Manager Abdu Muwonge underscored the importance of strategic guidance from the Finance Minister to help reposition the project for value for money.
He noted that careful prioritisation would be critical to sustaining the gains already achieved under ongoing PFM reforms.
Minister Bangura expressed appreciation to the World Bank for its long-standing support to Sierra Leone’s PFM reform agenda.
He stressed that the new project must build on and complement progress made in areas such as public procurement systems, the Economic Governance Programme (EGP), domestic revenue mobilisation, local council reforms, budget credibility, and the implementation of audit recommendations.
Mission Lead and Public Sector Specialist, Raymond Muhala, outlined the proposed instrument and key focus areas of the consultations.
Deputy Minister of Finance I, Kaddiatu Allie, encouraged the team to assess existing gains and propose practical ways to strengthen decentralisation and revenue mobilisation at the district level by identifying what is working well and what requires improvement.
Contributions were also made by senior officials, including directors, the Chief Economist, and the Chief Executive of the National Public Procurement Authority. Discussions covered public procurement reforms, internal and external audits, public investment management, PFM interoperability, and other priority reform areas expected to shape future PFM projects.
At the conclusion of the consultations, the World Bank mission is scheduled to hold a wrap-up meeting with the Minister of Finance on Friday, 30 January 2026.
