Freetown, 18th May 2026- The Government of Sierra Leone spent NLe2,377,857 thousand on external debt servicing in the 2025 financial year, reflecting a sharp increase from NLe1,930,056 thousand in 2024.
According to the Report and Annual Financial Statements of the Consolidated Fund for the year ended 31 December 2025, the payments comprised NLe1,560,252 thousand in principal loan repayments and NLe817,605 thousand in interest to external creditors. While principal repayments fell slightly compared to NLe1,644,766 thousand in 2024, interest costs surged nearly threefold from NLe285,289 thousand the previous year, underscoring the rising burden of debt servicing.
At the close of 2025, Sierra Leone’s total external debt stock stood at NLe42,747,020 thousand.
Multilateral lenders- including institutions such as the World Bank and African Development Bank account for the overwhelming majority of Sierra Leone’s external debt, representing nearly 89 percent of the total. Bilateral creditors contribute about 10 percent, while commercial debt remains minimal.
The sharp rise in interest payments highlights the growing cost of borrowing and the fiscal strain on government finances. While Sierra Leone has managed to keep commercial debt relatively low, the heavy reliance on multilateral financing means repayment schedules and interest obligations will continue to weigh on the budget.
