By: Aminata Sesay
In his recent State of the Nation address to the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone, President Julius Maada Bio presented a results-driven governance framework, emphasizing progress in public sector reforms, economic stabilization, and human capital development. Delivered with a tone of measured confidence, the address provided a data-driven overview of the administration’s ongoing efforts to transform Sierra Leone through strategic interventions under the Big 5 Game Changers agenda.
The President’s remarks focused on five flagship priorities launched in 2023: Feed Salone (agriculture and food security), Human Capital Development, Youth Employment, Public Service Delivery, and Technology & Infrastructure. These priorities serve as the government’s blueprint for fostering inclusive growth, accountability, and national resilience.
One of the most significant gains reported by the administration is in agriculture. The government has achieved a 20% reduction in rice prices, registered over 300,000 farmers through biometric technology, and increased local production of key staples such as onions. Infrastructure development, including 450 kilometers of feeder roads and the introduction of the nation’s first crop insurance scheme, highlights a concerted push toward sustainable food systems and rural economic empowerment.
Education and healthcare were framed as vital for long-term national productivity. The government has trained over 20,000 teachers, built 1,500 classrooms, and expanded vocational and digital learning. Key policy innovations include technical certification for informal workers and the establishment of a National Research & Innovation Policy aimed at aligning tertiary institutions with industry needs.
In healthcare, the government reports a 70% reduction in neonatal mortality, increased ambulance access, and specialized doctor training. A new Social Health Insurance Scheme is also being rolled out to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and provide better financial protection for households.
President Bio highlighted Sierra Leone’s 4% GDP growth despite global economic challenges, an increase in domestic revenue to 14.6 billion Leones, and a reduction in public debt to 39.5% of GDP. These indicators are framed as signs of macroeconomic stability, driven by fiscal reforms and improved public financial management systems, which now digitize 88% of national expenditures.
The Anti-Corruption Commission received praise for achieving a 90% compliance rate, and Sierra Leone was ranked among the Top 10 Most Improved Countries for governance an indication of institutional reforms and strengthened accountability frameworks.
Youth development was another central theme of the address. The government has committed to creating 500,000 jobs within five years, with initial efforts already underway in sectors such as agriculture, construction, the digital economy, and the creative industries. Special programs are in place to train young women in digital entrepreneurship, while national initiatives to expand internet access and digital identity coverage point to a future where technology plays a central role in employment and service delivery.
In the energy sector, the administration emphasized the $480 million MCC Compact, expected to scale national energy capacity to over 1,000MW by 2030, largely through hybrid solar and hydro energy solutions. Investments have also improved infrastructure, with 1,400 kilometers of road maintenance, the construction of new bridges, and the creation of an inclusive public transport system serving 5,000 people daily nearly half of whom are women or persons with disabilities.
Environmental sustainability and social protection remain critical to the government’s agenda. Sierra Leone has joined the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project and generated $1.12 billion in mining revenue, with an emphasis on transparency and national benefits. The July Wildlife Sanctuary has been designated a protected area, demonstrating continued efforts to safeguard biodiversity.
Social protection programs have expanded to include 84,000 elderly-headed households and more than 11,000 vulnerable seniors. In response to rising substance abuse, the government has established rehabilitation centers in Kenema and Bo, offering support to hundreds of individuals in need.
Sierra Leone’s status as one of Africa’s most peaceful nations ranked second on the continent and 57th globally was presented as both a foundation and an outcome of inclusive governance. Institutions like the National Peace Commission continue to foster dialogue, conflict resolution, and civic trust.
President Bio’s address was not just a rhetorical performance but thorough policy review rich in metrics and milestones aiming to demonstrate that strategic governance can lead to tangible outcomes. His final message, directed especially at the youth, emphasized shared responsibility in shaping the country’s future.
“This next chapter will be written by all of us not just in Parliament, but in classrooms, markets, and innovation hubs,” the President concluded.
As Sierra Leone navigates its complex development journey, the administration’s challenge will be to sustain momentum, ensure equity in delivery, and convert strategy into long-lasting transformation.