By: Aminata Sesay
Sierra Leone has made significant progress in modernizing its public financial management (PFM) systems, as the Directorate of Financial Management Systems and Technology (DFMST), with support from the World Bank and the Bank of Sierra Leone, successfully concluded a two-day national validation workshop on a new Interoperability Roadmap for PFM systems.
The workshop, held on 28-29 October 2025 at the Sierra Palms Hotel, brought together key institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, the National Revenue Authority (NRA), the National Civil Registration Authority (NACRA), civil society organizations, and several Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The event aimed to refine a roadmap that is expected to fundamentally transform how government platforms communicate and share data.
Rather than focusing solely on system upgrades, the discussions centered on creating a connected digital ecosystem that eliminates the fragmentation currently hindering financial processes. Principal Deputy Financial Secretary Samuel E. B. Momoh pointed out that although Sierra Leone has invested over USD 300 million in various standalone PFM applications such as the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) services, and the ITAX platform the lack of interoperability has limited their full potential.
Stakeholders agreed that a unified digital environment would improve transparency, reduce duplication, and enhance the accuracy of financial reporting. It would also boost donor confidence and create the right conditions for a more efficient and predictable public sector.
DFMST Director Dr. Simeon M. Jonjo emphasized that the roadmap is the result of broad consultations and should remain a shared national effort. He stressed the need for collective ownership to ensure its successful implementation across PFM institutions and to enable smarter, data-driven decision-making.
Consultant and CEO of PCL International, Oluwole Austin Pratt, described the roadmap as an essential blueprint for connecting government systems. He noted that many agencies still operate in digital silos, and only through coordinated automation, clear technical standards, and strong data governance can the benefits of interoperability be unlocked and financial inclusion expanded.
By the end of the workshop, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to building a digitally integrated PFM environment that aligns with international standards, positioning Sierra Leone for greater efficiency, accountability, and transparency in public finance.