The Public Debt Management Division of the Ministry of Finance has concluded a two-week workshop aimed at updating the country’s Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) and Medium-Term Debt Strategy (MTDS) documents.
The workshop, which ended on Friday, 24 July 2026, was held at Leisure Lodge, Aberdeen, Freetown, and focused on strengthening Sierra Leone’s debt management framework, reducing risks associated with public borrowing, and ensuring that government borrowing decisions support sustainable economic growth and national development priorities.
The Public Debt Management Division, which is responsible for managing public debt and providing policy guidance on borrowing, organized the engagement to ensure that Sierra Leone’s debt strategies remain aligned with global standards and the country’s economic realities.
During the closing session, Deputy Director of the Division, Santigie Charles Conteh, presented key indicators used to assess a country’s debt sustainability and its capacity to carry public debt. He explained that countries are classified into six categories based on these indicators and noted that the latest assessment shows that Sierra Leone has improved from a weak debt-carrying capacity rating in the previous review to a medium debt-carrying capacity rating.
However, Director Conteh clarified that Sierra Leone must maintain this improved performance for two consecutive DSA cycles before it can be officially classified as having medium debt-carrying capacity. He noted that achieving and sustaining this status would enhance the country’s ability to access additional financing that can be channelled into critical areas such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other public services.
He stressed that maintaining this progress requires continued government action, including stronger domestic revenue mobilization, improved technology in revenue collection, prudent public expenditure management, and reforms to strengthen the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.
Director Conteh also emphasized the importance of economic diversification as a means of promoting sustainable growth and reducing dependence on borrowing. He explained that the DSA and MTDS processes are essential tools for guiding government borrowing decisions, ensuring fiscal discipline, and making sure that borrowed resources are invested in productive sectors rather than being absorbed by debt servicing obligations.
Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of the Budget Advocacy Network (BAN), Abu Bakarr Kamara, commended the Ministry of Finance for adopting an inclusive approach in updating the DSA and MTDS documents by involving key government institutions and civil society organizations.
Kamara described the process as important for strengthening macroeconomic stability, improving public debt management, and promoting accountability in the use of public resources. He encouraged government to continue implementing reforms that ensure borrowed funds are directed towards productive investments that stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities, and improve public service delivery.
He further noted that the relationship between debt repayments and domestic revenue generation remains a concern and called for stronger efforts to increase domestic revenue mobilization, reduce unnecessary tax exemptions, improve digital revenue systems, and enhance collections from Customs and Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The two-week workshop brought together representatives from key institutions, including the Bank of Sierra Leone, Statistics Sierra Leone, the National Revenue Authority, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, the Accountant General’s Department, Civil Society Organizations, and officials from the Ministry of Finance.
The engagement provided stakeholders with an opportunity to review and update Sierra Leone’s Debt Sustainability Analysis and Medium-Term Debt Strategy, with the overall goal of promoting responsible borrowing, strengthening debt management systems, improving fiscal discipline, and creating the foundation for sustainable economic growth and improved public service delivery.