Freetown, 3rd March 2026 — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded its latest review mission on Sierra Leone’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program, following a week of high-level discussions with government officials and financial institutions.
The mission, led by IMF Mission Chief Christian Saborowski, assessed progress on key structural benchmarks, including implementation of the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP), governance and anti-corruption reforms, public financial management, domestic revenue mobilization, and debt management.
Saborowski noted that the review focused on strengthening expenditure controls, improving budget transparency, broadening the tax base, and enhancing debt recording systems.
Finance Minister Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura welcomed the IMF’s continued support, highlighting progress in reducing inflationary pressures through coordinated monetary policy with the Bank of Sierra Leone. He also pointed to improvements in governance and transparency, including enhanced asset declaration frameworks and stronger institutional accountability.
“We remain committed to meeting the remaining benchmarks to sustain macroeconomic stability,” Bangura said, stressing the importance of continued technical support and policy coordination.
Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie commended the IMF team and urged all sectors of governance to work collectively to implement the reforms.
The mission’s findings will inform the IMF’s formal review report, expected at the Spring Meetings in April 2026.
In December 2025, the IMF Executive Board completed the first and second reviews of Sierra Leone’s ECF arrangement, approving the immediate disbursement of US$79.8 million to support the country’s reform agenda.
The latest review underscores Sierra Leone’s ongoing efforts to stabilize its economy, strengthen fiscal discipline, and build resilience against external shocks, while maintaining transparency and accountability in public financial management.
