By: Aminata Sesay
Sierra Leone and Germany have called for stronger institutional coordination, improved accountability and more effective implementation of development projects following two days of government consultations in Freetown.
The consultations, which concluded on October 9, 2026, at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), brought together government officials and German development partners to review bilateral cooperation and address challenges affecting project delivery and sustainability.
Discussions focused on delays in customs clearance, outstanding tax reimbursements, residence permit procedures, road maintenance and the need for improved coordination in monitoring development programmes.
Planning and Economic Development Minister Kenyeh Barlay said effective development cooperation required consistent collaboration and information-sharing among national and local institutions, rather than relying solely on periodic meetings.
She disclosed that MoPED maintained separate databases for non-governmental organizations, monitoring activities and public investment. She said integrating these systems under common indicators would improve coordination, track progress and strengthen accountability.
Barlay also highlighted Germany’s potential role in improving coordination among development partners and strengthening the monitoring and reporting of development results.
One of the major concerns raised during the consultations was the delay in clearing consignments intended for the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), including essential project supplies and personal effects.
GIZ Country Director Raphael Frerking said some consignments had taken several months to clear, compared with the expected two-week period. He explained that demurrage charges resulting from the delays were diverting funds that could otherwise be used to support development activities.
National Revenue Authority (NRA) representative Edwin Conteh acknowledged the need for improved coordination and disclosed plans to introduce a Single Window system to streamline customs procedures. He also said the outstanding consignment issue would be escalated for discussion with the Ministry of Finance.
The German delegation also expressed concern over outstanding Goods and Services Tax (GST) reimbursements to GIZ, estimated at Le6.3 million for transactions covering 2023 to 2025.
Conteh said the NRA had completed the reconciliation process and forwarded the relevant information to the Ministry of Finance. The delegation called for a clear payment timeline by the end of October 2026, stressing that resolving the issue was important for GIZ’s project closure and final accounting with Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Participants also discussed residence permit procedures for foreign nationals working on development projects. Senior Immigration Officer and Head of the Foreign Nationals Unit, Patricia M. Kargobai, outlined the processes and challenges involved. Participants agreed on the need for stronger coordination to resolve outstanding cases and improve administrative efficiency.
Beyond administrative challenges, the consultations highlighted the importance of protecting infrastructure investments through sustainable maintenance arrangements.
National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) Deputy Commissioner Dr. Susan Robert welcomed Germany’s continued development support and expressed hope for further cooperation in road construction, food systems and livelihood improvement.
However, German delegation member Dr. Pascal Richter raised concerns about the rapid deterioration of some roads constructed or rehabilitated with German support. He called for stronger local ownership, reliable maintenance financing and better connections between feeder roads and major transport routes.
Dr. Robert attributed some of the maintenance challenges to financial constraints. She said the Road Maintenance Fund Administration was reportedly receiving three cents per litre from fuel levies instead of the expected 30 cents, following the diversion of funds to address fuel subsidy pressures.
The consultations also explored investment opportunities under Sierra Leone’s Blue Economy agenda. Barlay disclosed that 10 bankable projects had been promoted to attract private-sector investment, emphasizing the need to mobilize resources and strengthen partnerships around national development priorities.
The issue of the shadow fleet also featured in the discussions. Former German Ambassador to Sierra Leone Jens Kraus-Massé explained Germany’s concerns and the importance of continued engagement with European partners.
Barlay reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the matter while cautioning against misinformation.
In their closing remarks, both sides reaffirmed the importance of transparency, accountability and measurable results in ensuring that development cooperation delivers tangible benefits to citizens.
The German delegation commended Sierra Leone’s development planning efforts and proposed that future consultations take a more strategic approach by focusing on two or three overarching priorities to guide bilateral cooperation.
The next round of government consultations is expected to take place in April or May 2027.
The discussions underscored the need to address administrative delays, strengthen coordination among institutions and ensure that development investments are properly maintained to deliver lasting benefits to Sierra Leoneans.