Freetown, 16th September 2026- The United Nations has reaffirmed its close working relationship with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), underscoring the Fund’s role in supporting Sierra Leone’s economic and development agenda.
UN Resident Coordinator Seraphine Wakana made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with the newly appointed IMF Resident Representative, Maxwell Tuuli, at the UN House in Freetown.
Ms. Wakana described the IMF as a key member of the UN Country Team, the Development Group, and the Development Partnership Committee, noting that the Fund’s leadership in macroeconomic analysis and financing initiatives remains vital to Sierra Leone’s progress.
She praised the collaboration with Mr. Tuuli’s predecessor, Wayne Mitchell, and expressed confidence that the partnership would be further strengthened under the new representative. Wakana also briefed Mr. Tuuli on the UN’s 2025–2030 Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, which guides support for Sierra Leone in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Highlighting upcoming priorities, she encouraged the IMF to participate in preparations for the West Africa Investment Summit scheduled for November in Freetown. She stressed that the combined expertise of the IMF, World Bank, UNDP, UNICEF, and other partners will be critical in helping the government respond effectively to emerging socio-economic challenges.
Mr. Tuuli, in response, thanked the UN for its continued collaboration and pledged to work closely with the UN Country Team in advancing Sierra Leone’s national development priorities within the IMF’s mandate.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to revitalise the Network of Economists, a platform for policy dialogue and collaboration aimed at supporting Sierra Leone’s economic growth.
