By: Audrey Raymonda John
As part of the ongoing FY2026 bilateral budget discussions hosted by the Ministry of Finance, various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have presented their proposed budgets along with progress updates on activities carried out in 2024 and ongoing projects for 2025.
On Friday, 19th September 2025, the Ministry of Energy presented a budget proposal of NLe951,678,600 for its planned 2026 activities. The presentation took place at the Ministry of Finance’s conference rooms on George Street, Freetown.
Shebora Kamara, Director of Policy, Research, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the Ministry of Energy, outlined the Ministry’s mandate to formulate and implement policies, projects, and programs covering all forms of energy, and to provide oversight for agencies under its purview, including EDSA, EGTC, and Bumbuna Watershed Management.
Kamara detailed major achievements in 2025, including strengthening of the national grid infrastructure, completion of the 225KV Double Circuit Transmission Line from Bumbuna to Waterloo-Newton, development of the Southern Corridor 225KV Transmission Line, expansion of the 66KV and 33KV distribution networks along the Peninsula, generation and electrification projects in seven district towns, rehabilitation of EGTC plants, electrification of ecological agro-zones to support the Feed Salone project at Mambolo, Kychum, and Gbondapie Tomabome rice fields
Meanwhile, the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) also made its case for additional resources. Lahai Kamara, Director of Finance, highlighted the agency’s mandate to serve 44 towns across the country. Currently, SALWACO is active in 10 locations, with ongoing construction and rehabilitation works.
Kamara reported that SALWACO achieved 95.6% of its 2024 revenue target, collecting NLe8.22 million of the NLe8.25 million projected. He also noted a 21% increase in revenue generation between 2022 and 2024 and projected a further increase to NLe17 million in 2026, with support from solar power systems aimed at enhancing electricity supply for water production.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources submitted a budget request of NLe312.9 million for the 2026 fiscal year, focusing on sustainable fisheries, food security, and expanding digital registration systems for industrial fishing operations.
The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) proposed a 2026 budget of NLe613,557,932.40, targeting activities such as large-scale tree planting initiatives, sustainable management of the Western Area Peninsula and strengthening climate resilience and environmental protection.
However, MoECC highlighted several key challenges, including inadequate funding, limited technical capacity, and weak inter-agency cooperation, which continue to hinder the Ministry’s effectiveness.
As the bilateral budget hearings continue, MDAs are pushing for increased financial support to scale up their interventions and improve service delivery in line with Sierra Leone’s national development priorities.