By Emma Black
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded its latest review mission under Sierra Leone’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Programme, following high-level discussions with government officials in Freetown.
The review meeting, held on Thursday, 26th February 2026, at the Ministry of Finance Conference Hall on George Street, brought together IMF staff and senior representatives from the Ministry of Finance Sierra Leone, the Bank of Sierra Leone, the National Revenue Authority, and other key government institutions.
IMF Mission Chief for Sierra Leone, Christian Saborowski, explained that the mission focused on assessing progress made under the ECF-supported programme. Areas of review included structural benchmarks, implementation of commitments outlined in the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP), and follow-up actions stemming from the Governance and Corruption Diagnostics (GCD) report.
The mission also evaluated reforms in public financial management (PFM), particularly improvements in expenditure controls and budget transparency. Discussions further covered domestic revenue mobilization efforts, including measures to broaden the tax base and strengthen compliance, as well as public debt management reforms and enhanced debt recording systems.
Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, expressed appreciation for the IMF’s continued support in stabilizing and strengthening Sierra Leone’s economy. He highlighted progress made in reducing inflationary pressures through prudent monetary policy coordination with the Bank of Sierra Leone and noted improvements in governance and transparency within public financial management systems.
According to the Minister, the government is actively implementing recommendations from the Governance and Corruption Diagnostics report. These include strengthening asset declaration and publication frameworks, improving legal and institutional accountability mechanisms, and reducing fiscal risks across public institutions.
Minister Bangura reaffirmed the government’s commitment to meeting outstanding programme benchmarks and sustaining macroeconomic stability. He emphasized the importance of continued technical assistance and close policy coordination to ensure reform momentum is maintained.
Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie commended the IMF team for its engagement and called on all sectors of government to work collaboratively to implement the programme’s reform agenda effectively.
The findings of the review mission will inform the preparation of a formal report to be presented during the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings scheduled for April this year.
In December 2025, the IMF Executive Board completed the first and second reviews of Sierra Leone’s arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility Programme, approving the immediate disbursement of approximately US$79.8 million to support the country’s economic reform efforts and fiscal stability objectives.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 4th March 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
