Three years after his appointment by President Dr Julius Maada Bio, Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie has become a key figure in Sierra Leone’s economic management, guiding the Ministry of Finance through challenging economic conditions with discipline, resilience, and strategic leadership.
When Dingie assumed office in July 2023, Sierra Leone was facing significant economic pressures, with inflation standing at 54%. Under his leadership, and through coordinated government interventions, inflation declined to 35% by May 2024, while efforts were made to stabilize the exchange rate and strengthen the foundation for economic recovery.
Since then, inflation has continued a downward trend, fiscal discipline has been reinforced, and the economy has demonstrated resilience, with growth projections averaging about 4% annually.
A major achievement of Dingie’s tenure has been Sierra Leone’s strengthened engagement with international financial institutions. In November 2023, the country successfully completed the eighth and final review of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme, unlocking US$22 million in direct budget support. In December 2023, the World Bank approved a further US$65 million disbursement after the Ministry of Finance met the required Development Policy Operation (DPO) conditions.
By mid-2024, Sierra Leone had fulfilled the necessary prior actions for a successor IMF programme, leading to approval by the IMF Executive Board in October 2024 and eligibility for the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST) in February 2025. Together, these programmes are expected to provide more than US$480 million in financing over a 36-month period.
In a statement issued on Thursday, 18 June 2026, the IMF Executive Board confirmed the completion of the third review of Sierra Leone’s Extended Credit Facility arrangement, resulting in an immediate disbursement of approximately US$31.7 million. The latest funding brings total disbursements under the programme to approximately US$158.6 million.
The IMF Board also approved a new Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangement valued at approximately US$211.5 million. The facility is designed to strengthen Sierra Leone’s ability to withstand climate-related shocks and promote long-term economic stability.
Working closely with the Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, Dingie has played a key role in strengthening Sierra Leone’s financial partnerships and securing international support for the country’s development priorities. He has consistently attributed achievements at the Ministry of Finance to teamwork and the commitment of staff across the institution.
From supporting efforts to reduce inflation and stabilize the exchange rate to helping secure significant international financing, Matthew Dingie’s three years as Financial Secretary have been marked by a focus on fiscal responsibility, institutional coordination, and economic recovery.
His stewardship has contributed to strengthening confidence in Sierra Leone’s economic management and positioning the country for sustainable growth and resilience.