By Thaimu T Kamara
The newly appointed Country Manager of the African Development Bank in Sierra Leone, Dr Ado Mensah, has paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, reaffirming the Bank’s commitment to supporting the country’s economic development agenda.
The meeting took place on Wednesday, 25th March 2026, at the Minister’s office in the Treasury Building in Freetown, where Dr Mensah formally presented his credentials. The visit marks the beginning of what both parties described as a renewed and strengthened partnership between Sierra Leone and the African Development Bank.
Welcoming the new Country Manager, Minister Bangura expressed appreciation for the Bank’s continued and growing support to Sierra Leone. Speaking on behalf of Julius Maada Bio, the Minister described the relationship between the Government and the Bank as “remarkable,” noting that it has significantly contributed to development efforts across key sectors of the economy.
He emphasized the Government’s expectation of even more productive engagements in the future, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in delivering tangible benefits to the people of Sierra Leone. According to him, the partnership remains critical in driving economic transformation and improving livelihoods.
During the discussions, Minister Bangura outlined the Government’s recent macroeconomic achievements, pointing to what he described as steady progress toward economic stability and sustainability. He noted that inflation has remained in single digits since April 2025, while the exchange rate has stabilized. Additionally, domestic treasury bill rates have declined to more sustainable levels, reflecting improved fiscal management.
The Minister attributed these gains to the implementation of sound economic policies and reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s financial position.
He reiterated the Government’s commitment to maintaining this trajectory, despite prevailing global challenges.
Minister Bangura also disclosed that President Bio has formally invited the President of the African Development Bank Group to visit Sierra Leone, a move expected to further deepen cooperation and explore new opportunities for development support.
However, the Minister cautioned that rising global uncertainties pose significant risks to developing economies, including Sierra Leone. He specifically referenced the potential economic impact of the ongoing US-Israel–Iran conflict, warning that such geopolitical tensions could have adverse effects on commodity prices and overall economic stability.
In response to these concerns, the Government is implementing policies to ensure the availability of essential goods, including petroleum products and agricultural inputs. Minister Bangura further revealed that a formal request would soon be submitted to the African Development Bank, seeking additional support to help cushion the impact of external shocks on the economy.
In his response, Dr Mensah congratulated the Government on its notable macroeconomic progress and expressed confidence in the country’s reform agenda. He reaffirmed the Bank’s unwavering commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s development priorities, particularly in areas that promote inclusive growth and economic resilience.
Dr Mensah outlined his immediate priorities as Country Manager, which include deepening policy dialogue with the Government to enhance understanding of key challenges and opportunities. He also emphasized the need to improve the performance of the Bank’s project portfolio in Sierra Leone by accelerating implementation and addressing bottlenecks.
Furthermore, he highlighted plans to strengthen macroeconomic interventions through research and analytical studies that will inform policy decisions and support ongoing reforms. According to him, these efforts are essential in ensuring that development programs deliver maximum impact.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Financial Secretary, Matthew Dingie, welcomed Dr Mensah and commended the African Development Bank for its sustained support across various sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture, and public financial management.
Mr Dingie pledged to work closely with the new Country Manager to improve project disbursement rates and enhance implementation efficiency. He stressed the importance of timely execution of development projects in achieving national goals.
Other senior officials present at the meeting included the Principal Deputy Financial Secretary, Samuel E.B. Momoh; the Deputy Financial Secretary for the Multilateral Project Division, Morie Momoh; and the Technical Adviser to the Minister, Franklin Sisabu Bendu.
The courtesy visit underscores the strong and evolving partnership between Sierra Leone and the African Development Bank, with both sides expressing optimism about future collaboration aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth and development in the country.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 30th March 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
