By: Saidu Jalloh
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development has released an encouraging update on Sierra Leone’s Big Five Agenda and its international development partnerships, highlighting steady progress in national reforms and growing donor confidence.
Ambrose James, the Development Secretary, underscored Sierra Leone’s strong relationships with the international community. He revealed that the country receives approximately $650 million annually in donor commitments, with a disbursement rate between 65% and 70%.
He broke down the 2024 commitments as follows: The United Kingdom contributed $41 million, Germany $16 million, Ireland $13 million, the World Bank $190 million, and the United States, through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), contributed a record $480 million, supplemented by an additional $26 million in grants.
“These figures reflect the continued confidence our partners have in Sierra Leone’s reform agenda. However, donor support has declined over the past decade. This reality has pushed us to work with our partners to explore private sector-led investments as a sustainable alternative,” explained Mr. James.
At the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press briefing, Dr. Kenyeh Barlay, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, disclosed that her ministry has completed a comprehensive review of the government’s flagship Big Five Agenda. This agenda is Sierra Leone’s strategic roadmap for national growth and transformation.
According to Dr. Barlay, the review assessed 137 targets and over 300 policy actions. The findings revealed strong progress in key areas such as the Feed Salone program, healthcare delivery, fisheries, and social protection systems. Other sectors, including education, youth employment, and child welfare, were also rated as satisfactory.
“This review reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering tangible results for our citizens. The scorecard will be made publicly available on the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s website to ensure transparency and accountability,” assured Dr. Barlay.
Looking ahead, Mr. James emphasized new policy directions, including the prioritization of initiatives like the Mineral Wealth Fund, Agricultural Technology projects in Kono, and Climate Finance Technology. These initiatives aim to attract private sector investments and diversify Sierra Leone’s economy.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that international support results in tangible development outcomes while positioning the private sector as a key driver of Sierra Leone’s economic transformation.