By Fatima Kpaka
Sierra Leone – December 5, 2025: The Parliament of Sierra Leone has concluded debate on the Appropriation Act of 2026, a Bill seeking to authorize expenditure from the consolidated fund for the financial year 2026 under the theme “Enhancing Domestic Revenue Mobilization to Sustain Economic Development for Service Delivery.”
The debate, which spanned multiple submissions from both sides of the aisle, highlighted sharp divisions over the government’s fiscal priorities, with opposition lawmakers questioning the feasibility of certain initiatives and ruling party members defending the budget as pro-poor and pro-development.
Opposition Concerns
- Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawally (Bombali District) criticized the “Feed Salone” initiative as unrealistic without adequate harvesters, opposed price increases on imported food items, and urged improvements in teachers’ salaries and women’s health. She described the budget as “politically appalling and fragile.”
- Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara (Kambia District) argued that 80% of the 2025 budget was unfulfilled, warning that proposed hikes in fuel and cement prices would burden citizens. He called for greater allocations to security and water supply, and urged road rehabilitation, including the Tom Pari road.
- Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma (Tonkolili District) rejected claims that the budget was pro-poor, saying it would worsen hardship. He emphasized the importance of adequately funding local councils.
- Hon. Daniel Brima Koroma (Acting Leader of Opposition) cautioned against excessive foreign travel by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), urged reductions in embassies to cut costs, and called for prioritizing citizens’ needs.
Ruling Party Positions
- Hon. Neneh Lebbie (Bo District) urged patriotism in debates, praised government energy projects, and called for stronger interventions against illegal fishing by foreigners.
- Hon. Moses Edwin (Bonthe District) described the budget as “pro-poor,” noting improvements in life expectancy from 43 to 63 years and commending the Ministry of Finance’s policies.
- Hon. Quintin Salia-Konneh (Kailahun District) emphasized domestic revenue mobilization, celebrating Sierra Leone’s achievement of single-digit inflation for the first time in 22 years.
- Hon. Wuyata Bernadette Songa (Kailahun District) highlighted health sector gains, including a 90% vaccination success rate, solarization of 17 hospitals, and oxygen availability in 18 hospitals nationwide.
- Hon. Kekura Vandy (Chairman, Finance Committee) praised President Bio’s economic team for stabilizing the economy, citing achievements such as energy supply expansion, recruitment of 14,000 teachers, and renewable energy progress. He described the budget as “pro-people, pro-business, and pro-performance.”
Minister of Finance’s Response
Finance Minister Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura defended the budget as responsible and people-centered. He acknowledged challenges in debt servicing and revenue mobilization but assured MPs that the wage bill was sustainably managed. He justified tax measures as necessary given global price shifts and exchange rate fluctuations.
“We take the budgeting process very seriously and acknowledge progress,” Bangura said, urging Sierra Leoneans to “have faith in this budget,” which he described as both pro-poor and pro-people.
The debate underscored contrasting views on Sierra Leone’s economic trajectory, with ruling party MPs celebrating achievements in health, education, and inflation control, while opposition members warned of rising costs and underfunded councils. The Bill now awaits further parliamentary procedures for adoption and implementation.