By: Mohamed J. Bangura
The National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) plans to create temporary employment opportunities for 22,000 young people in 2027 as part of an expanded social protection and livelihood programme targeting vulnerable households across Sierra Leone.
The plans were presented during the FY2027 Bilateral Budget Hearings, according to a Ministry of Finance communication dated September 23, 2026.
Under its proposed 2027 interventions, NaCSA plans to provide emergency cash transfers to 30,000 beneficiaries, targeting vulnerable households and people who depend on social protection assistance to meet their basic needs.
The Commission also plans to provide temporary employment for 22,000 young people, giving them opportunities to earn income while contributing to community-level development.
In addition, NaCSA intends to train and provide grants to 1,000 young people to support livelihoods and entrepreneurship. The initiative is expected to help beneficiaries acquire skills and resources for income-generating activities.
The Commission’s FY2027 programme also includes the construction of 50 social infrastructure projects aimed at improving community facilities and services.
NaCSA further plans to rehabilitate 23.57 kilometres of feeder roads in Bonthe and Moyamba districts. The road works are expected to improve access to communities and facilitate the movement of people, agricultural produce and other goods.
Another key target is securing approval for the Sierra Leone Community-Driven Development (SLCDD) III programme, which forms part of NaCSA’s broader social protection and community development agenda.
During the budget hearing, NaCSA reported total donor commitments of US$171.44 million across its programmes. Of this amount, US$153.21 million, representing 87 percent, had been disbursed as of August 2026, while US$16.61 million remained undisbursed.
The Commission also disclosed that government contributions across its programmes stood at SLe537.95 million, of which only SLe134.18 million, representing 23 percent, had been received. This left SLe403.77 million outstanding.
NaCSA further reported that it received only NLe4.4 million of its NLe10 million recurrent budget allocation for 2025, highlighting funding constraints that could affect the implementation of its programmes.
The presentation was made alongside the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) as part of the FY2027 Bilateral Budget Hearings.
Deputy Minister of Finance I and Acting Minister of Finance Kadiatu Allie called on the institutions to present clear deliverables and demonstrate measurable impact from public and donor resources allocated to their programmes.
Deputy Director of Budget Jacob T. Sessie explained that the budget hearing forms part of the requirements of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016. He said the process provides an accountability mechanism through which government institutions account for resources and outline their plans for the coming financial year.
With its proposed 2027 programme, NaCSA is placing employment creation, social protection, skills development and community infrastructure at the centre of its planned interventions, targeting thousands of vulnerable people and young Sierra Leoneans.