By Emma Black
Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura meet with International Development, Neale Richmond
Ireland’s Minister for International Development, Neale Richmond, met with Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, at his George Street office in Freetown on Monday, April 7, 2025. The courtesy visit, part of Richmond’s official trip to Sierra Leone, spotlighted deepening bilateral ties and Ireland’s ongoing support for the West African nation.
Richmond outlined his mission: to explore new partnership avenues with Sierra Leone’s government and track progress on Irish-backed initiatives in education and microfinance. Ireland remains steadfast in its commitment to Sierra Leone, he affirmed, we’re here to build on our shared goals and ensure these projects deliver real impact.
Finance Minister Bangura welcomed the visit as a testament to the enduring Sierra Leone-Ireland relationship. Your presence underscores the strength of our partnership, he said. In an era of shifting global aid priorities, we’re grateful Ireland continues to stand by us.
Bangura seized the opportunity to showcase Sierra Leone’s Big Five agenda, spotlighting strides in education, economic reforms, and energy investments, he painted a picture of a nation on the move tackling challenges with ambition and resolve.
The visit coincided with another high-profile engagement at the Finance Ministry. A delegation from ECOWAS, the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA), and the West African Monetary Institute (WAMI) arrived to assess Sierra Leone’s economic health. Bangura briefed them on sweeping reforms: tightening expenditure, ramping up domestic revenue, curbing inflation, and steadying the Leone.
He reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s dedication to regional economic integration, particularly the push for a West African monetary union.
For Richmond, the visit reinforced Ireland’s role as a reliable ally, while Bangura’s dual engagements highlighted Sierra Leone’s growing clout on both bilateral and regional stages. As the ministers parted, the message was clear: collaboration whether across continents or borders remains key to Sierra Leone’s ascent.