By: Aminata Sesay
Sierra Leone and Germany reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation on Tuesday as the Head of the German Inspection Team, Barbara Wolf, met with the Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), Kenyeh Barlay, at her Tower Hill office in Freetown.
The high-level meeting focused on assessing the progress of Germany-funded development initiatives in Sierra Leone, particularly those implemented through the German development agency, GIZ. Both parties discussed key areas of collaboration, including renewable energy, agriculture and food security, digitalisation, and women’s economic empowerment—all of which align with Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024-2030.
Discussions also touched on the broader global economic challenges affecting development efforts, including the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war. The minister and Mrs. Wolf examined ongoing interventions aimed at mitigating economic shocks on vulnerable populations in Sierra Leone.
Minister Barlay commended the German government’s role in Sierra Leone’s development, emphasising Germany’s increasing influence in the country’s development coordination landscape. She highlighted that Germany is now the third Co-Chair of the Development Partners Committee (DEPAC), representing bilateral partners, and praised the country’s consistent engagement and flexibility in supporting government-led initiatives.
One of the critical issues raised during the meeting was the recent suspension of USAID funding and its implications for Sierra Leone’s development assistance landscape. Both sides discussed potential strategies to mitigate the funding gap, ensuring that ongoing projects remain on track despite the setback.
Germany has been a key development partner for Sierra Leone, providing support across various sectors, particularly in economic growth, governance, and capacity-building programs. The meeting between Minister Barlay and Mrs. Wolf underscored the strong working relationship between MoPED and the German Embassy in coordinating development programs.
The discussions reinforced the mutual commitment of both nations to sustainable development, with Germany pledging continued support for Sierra Leone’s progress. The meeting ended on a positive note, with both parties agreeing to strengthen their collaboration and enhance mechanisms for effective development assistance coordination.
