Freetown, 10th September 2026 – The Vice President of the World Bank for Africa West and Central Region, Ousmane Diagana, has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Sierra Leone during a high‑level visit to Freetown.
Mr. Diagana, accompanied by the newly appointed World Bank Country Manager for Sierra Leone, Issatou Jalloh, held a courtesy meeting with Minister of Finance Karefa A. F. Kargbo. Discussions centered on accelerating the impact of World Bank‑supported programmes and strengthening accountability in the use of resources.
Welcoming the delegation, Minister Kargbo described the visit as “an honour,” highlighting the Bank’s extensive portfolio in Sierra Leone and its critical role in driving national development.
Mr. Diagana congratulated the Minister on his appointment and stressed the importance of linking disbursements to measurable results. “Resources must translate into meaningful outcomes,” he noted, underscoring the Bank’s focus on ensuring investments deliver tangible benefits across sectors.
A key highlight of the talks was Sierra Leone’s Country Partnership Framework (CPF), which will guide future World Bank engagement. Minister Kargbo assured the delegation of Government’s commitment to meeting deadlines tied to the CPF, particularly given the significant financing envelope of about US$600 million available to the country. He emphasized the need for frank dialogue, clear benchmarks, and stronger coordination to safeguard access to future financing.
The Minister also referenced the Development Policy Operation (DPO), a budget support instrument linked to policy and institutional reforms. He confirmed that Government expects outstanding processes to be completed by the end of October.
Following the courtesy call, the World Bank team engaged with selected Cabinet Ministers responsible for Health; Education; Gender and Children’s Affairs; Fisheries; Transport and Aviation; Environment and Climate Change; Energy; Communication, Technology and Innovation; and Lands. Each Minister outlined achievements, challenges, and priorities within their portfolios, while acknowledging the impact of World Bank interventions.
The Bank’s delegation responded positively, opening space for frank discussions on challenges and exploring ways to strengthen implementation.
Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie highlighted the Ministry of Finance’s pivotal role in negotiating agreements, noting that resources are subsequently channelled to line ministries for execution. He described Sierra Leone as “fortunate” to enjoy the World Bank’s continued attention and expressed optimism for additional funding.
Closing the session, Minister Kargbo reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s recognition of the World Bank as a trusted partner that understands the country’s constraints and aspirations. He stressed that Government must equally play its part by meeting commitments and delivering results.
The engagement underscored a shared commitment to stronger accountability, effective implementation, and greater development impact from World Bank‑supported investments.
The visit concluded with Deputy Minister of Finance II, Isata Marah, presenting souvenirs to the delegation as a gesture of appreciation for the Vice President’s visit and the Bank’s continued support to Sierra Leone.
