In a notable development, Sierra Leone has made significant strides in budget transparency, climbing to 47th place out of 125 countries in the 2023 Open Budget Survey (OBS), according to a recent announcement by the Ministry of Finance.
This represents a remarkable improvement from its 2021 ranking of 64th, showcasing an enhancement of 17 positions.
The Open Budget Survey (OBS) is recognized as the world’s only independent, comparative, and fact-based research instrument that evaluates:
1. Public access to central government budget information.
2. Opportunities for public participation in the national budget process.
3. The role of budget oversight institutions, such as legislatures and national audit offices.
Sierra Leone’s score of 55 out of 100 in budget transparency places it ahead of several regional counterparts, including Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia, Equatorial Guinea, and São Tomé e Príncipe.
The survey assesses public access to budget information using 109 indicators across eight key budget documents, including Pre-Budget Statements, Executive Budget Proposals, Enacted Budgets, Citizens Budgets, In-Year Reports, Mid-Year Reviews, Year-End Reports, and Audit Reports.
Commenting on the progress, a Ministry of Finance spokesperson stated, “Sierra Leone’s transparency score of 55 in the OBS 2023, up from 45 in 2021 and 38 in 2017, underscores the government’s commitment to reforms aimed at enhancing the availability of budget information. This progress is evident in the increased details provided in the Enacted Budget and In-Year Reports.”
The government has pledged to continue its efforts in improving public participation and budget oversight to further enhance the country’s ranking and public financial management.
“Our objective is to ensure ongoing improvements in public participation and budget oversight, which are essential for maintaining the positive trajectory in Sierra Leone’s OBS ranking,” added the spokesperson.
The following chart highlights Sierra Leone’s transparency performance relative to other countries:
| Country | Transparency Score |
| Global Average | 45 |
| Sierra Leone | 55 |
| Liberia | 52 |
| Ghana | 46 |
| Gambia | 36 |
| São Tomé e Príncipe | 32 |
| Nigeria | 31 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 4 |
Sierra Leone’s advancement in the OBS ranking reflects the nation’s dedication to transparency and accountability in its fiscal policies.
