By Sallieu S. Kanu
Sierra Leone — September 17, 2025: The Ministry of Finance has officially commenced consultations on Sierra Leone’s first standalone Fiscal Risk Strategy (FRS) Statement, marking a significant milestone in the country’s pursuit of fiscal transparency and economic resilience, according to the Communications Unit of the Ministry of Finance.
The three-day workshop, held at Leisure Lodge Hotel in Aberdeen, Freetown, brings together key stakeholders from the Ministry of Finance, Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL), National Revenue Authority (NRA), Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Unit, and Civil Society Organisations. The event runs from September 17 to 19, 2025.
In her welcome address, Senior Deputy Financial Secretary Mariatu Browne described the FRS Statement as a transformative initiative. “It provides a comprehensive and independent assessment of fiscal risks, including contingent liabilities, climate-related threats, policy preparedness, and institutional vulnerabilities,” she said.
Madam Browne emphasized that the workshop signals the beginning of a sustained consultative process aimed at developing a robust and standalone Fiscal Risk Strategy. “This strategy will foster dialogue between government, private sector actors, and development partners, while enhancing institutional understanding and technical capacity for fiscal risk analysis,” she added.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Finance II, Madam Jenneh Jabati, hailed the event as a defining moment in Sierra Leone’s fiscal governance journey. “We are embracing reform, innovation, and a national commitment to sound economic management,” she declared.
She noted that governments today face growing uncertainty due to economic volatility, climate change, public health crises, natural disasters, and instability within State-Owned Enterprises and PPP arrangements. The development of the FRS Statement, she said, reflects the government’s bold commitment to fiscal accountability and long-term sustainability.
Director of the Fiscal Risk Division, Dr. Alhassan Mansaray, outlined the workshop’s focus areas, which include macroeconomic shocks, governance challenges, climate risks, revenue volatility, debt sustainability, budget pressures, and institutional weaknesses. He also highlighted the importance of strategic policy recommendations to address these vulnerabilities.
The consultation is expected to lay the groundwork for a more resilient and transparent fiscal framework, positioning Sierra Leone to better manage future economic challenges.