By: Aminata Sesay
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, has been named Africa’s Minister of Finance for 2025 by African Leadership Magazine at its 15th Persons of the Year Awards ceremony, held in Accra, Ghana, on 27 February 2026.
The prestigious award widely regarded as one of the continent’s leading public-choice recognition platforms celebrates African leaders whose policies and leadership have made significant contributions to national and regional development. Minister Bangura secured 31.42 percent of the total votes cast across Africa and beyond.
The recognition reflects growing continental approval of his efforts to strengthen economic governance, advance fiscal reforms, and promote financial stability in Sierra Leone.
In his acceptance remarks, Minister Bangura expressed gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio for his leadership and continued support, noting that strong political direction has been instrumental in the effective implementation of government policies.
He outlined key reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Finance, emphasizing prudent economic management aimed at improving living standards. According to him, these reforms have been reinforced through strategic partnerships with international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development.
The Minister highlighted the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility programme, which is expected to disburse approximately US$253 million between 2024 and 2027. He also referenced a proposed Resilience and Sustainability Facility designed to strengthen climate and macroeconomic resilience.
Despite a challenging global economic environment, Minister Bangura stated that Sierra Leone’s economy has remained stable due to fiscal discipline and sustained structural reforms. He reported improvements in key economic indicators, including inflation control, exchange rate stability, and reduced borrowing costs—describing these gains as critical foundations for long-term growth and poverty reduction.
Beyond domestic reforms, he pointed to Sierra Leone’s growing international profile, including its service as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council from 2024 to 2025, where the country championed peacebuilding, youth and women’s inclusion, and cybersecurity initiatives.
He also referenced President Bio’s role as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), noting that the position has strengthened regional cooperation in addressing political and economic challenges.
In concluding his remarks, Minister Bangura thanked African Leadership Magazine for recognizing what he described as the collective achievements of the Government of Sierra Leone in stabilizing the economy during 2024 and 2025. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of citizens.
He further expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Ghana, describing the country as a “second home,” having previously worked at the West African Monetary Institute in Accra.
The Minister also commended the dedication of staff at the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Sierra Leone, and the National Revenue Authority for their contributions to advancing national economic reforms.
He concluded by thanking his family for their unwavering support since his appointment as Deputy Minister in 2020, describing their encouragement as vital to his journey in public service.