By: Audrey Raymonda John
The National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) has requested a budget estimate of NLE 15,000,000 for the 2026 fiscal year during the ongoing bilateral budget discussions at the Ministry of Finance.
Dr. Susan Robert, Senior Director for Program Development and Quality Assurance at NaCSA, highlighted that the commission successfully implemented various projects in 2025, funded by both the government and international partners.
Among the significant projects was the $51.93 million Sierra Leone Community-Driven Development Project (SRCD2), funded by the Islamic Development Bank with counterpart funding from the Government of Sierra Leone. Additionally, the $42 million Productive Social Safety Net and Youth Employment Project (PSSYNE), funded by the World Bank, is currently running from 2023 to 2027. This initiative aims to expand cash transfers and youth employment nationwide.
Dr. Robert further emphasized that NaCSA has trained and provided grants to approximately 8,000 rural youths, with 4,000 of them creating business plans and learning money management skills. These efforts have led to the creation of 13,010 jobs through labor-intensive and green public works programs.
Furthermore, NaCSA is currently implementing two self-financed government projects: the 69.7 million leones Community-Driven Development Project (CDDP) and the 69.7 million leones Rapporteur Program.
For 2026, the commission plans to expand its social protection efforts to include 10,000 youths, provide income support to 20,000 extremely poor households, and complete a 10-meter per hour palm oil mill in Bonthe district, which is expected to create 1,500 job opportunities for young people. Additionally, the commission plans to construct 22 community infrastructures and rehabilitate 53.49 km of feeder roads to enhance food system resilience.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation has proposed a budget ceiling of NLE 73,431,700 for the 2026 fiscal year. Hindolo Shiaka, Director of Transport and Aviation, noted that with adequate support, agencies under the Ministry, such as the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), Sierra Leone Ports Authority (SLPHA), Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), and the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA), would be able to generate revenue from various sources, including vehicle licenses, port charges paid by concessionaires, aerodrome certification charges, landing fees, vessel registrations, and air navigational charges.
Mr. Shiaka highlighted several challenges facing the Ministry, particularly the lack of Information Technology infrastructure to consolidate baseline transport sector data. This includes critical information such as the number of government vehicles in circulation, passenger throughput at the airport, the number of vessels calling at Sierra Leone’s ports, and ships flying the Sierra Leone flag.
Looking ahead, Mr. Shiaka outlined key plans for the Ministry, including continuing the Connectivity and Agricultural Market Infrastructure Project, reviewing the National Vehicle Fleet Policy, and developing a government vehicle database.