By: Mamajah Jalloh
Ministry of Trade and Industry generated NLe254.2 million in revenue during the first half of 2026, according to officials who presented the Ministry’s FY2027 budget proposal during the ongoing Bilateral Budget Hearings.
The revenue comprised NLe162.6 million from Integrated Trade Services, NLe17.6 million from the Produce Monitoring Board, NLe59.1 million from the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NLe9.6 million from the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau and NLe5.3 million from the Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Company.
The Ministry also presented a FY2027 budget proposal of NLe36.06 million against a recurrent expenditure ceiling of NLe9.15 million, resulting in an excess of NLe26.91 million over the ceiling.
The Trade and Industry budget session was handled by Deputy Director of Budget Illara Mahdi and other key stakeholders.
For FY2027, the Ministry identified the formalization of the informal sector, strengthening national quality infrastructure, regional integration and trade facilitation among its key priorities.
Other priorities include implementing recommendations from the Manufacturers’ Round Table, supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and developing key trade policies.
The largest proposed allocation is NLe26.88 million for the Office of the Permanent Secretary, followed by NLe3.08 million for the Directorate of Policy, Planning and Research and NLe2.97 million for the Directorate of Export Promotion and Regional Integration.
During the hearings, panel members and participants sought clarification on several proposed deliverables, including the justification for funding weekly press conferences and the availability of actual revenue figures.
Questions were also raised over whether figures presented for FY2026 represented actual performance or projections.
Ministry officials responded to the questions and committed to providing further clarification and reviewing areas requiring additional evidence or supporting information.