By George M.O Williams
FREETOWN – June 25, 2026: The Government of Sierra Leone and UNICEF have urged stakeholders to adopt innovative and sustainable approaches to financing education as rising debt obligations, fiscal pressures, and shrinking global aid continue to challenge investments in the sector.
The call came during the opening of a two-day Strategic Workshop on Blended and Innovative Financing for Education at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.
Stakeholders are exploring options such as Public-Private Partnerships, Debt Swaps, and Blended Finance, alongside proposals for a dedicated Education Levy, Results-Based Financing, and Diaspora Bonds. These mechanisms aim to mobilize additional resources, improve efficiency, and strengthen long-term investment in Sierra Leone’s education sector.
Deputy Minister of Finance II, Madam Jenneh Jabat, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to education as a flagship priority under the Medium-Term National Development Plan. She noted that education consistently receives around 20 percent of the discretionary domestic budget, in line with the Uhuru Declaration.
Despite this, she highlighted fiscal challenges: domestic revenue collection remains low at 10.9 percent of GDP compared to a Sub-Saharan average of 16 percent, while debt servicing consumes significant fiscal space. Reforms such as increased corporate tax rates, expanded e-procurement systems, and strengthened debt management are expected to boost revenues and safeguard social spending.
Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Hon. Conrad Sackey, urged participants to rethink traditional donor-dependent models. Using African proverbs, he stressed shared responsibility: “Once you carry your own water, you will learn the value of every drop.” He called for concrete commitments and a roadmap with timelines and financing targets.
UNICEF Acting Representative Liv Elin Indreiten commended Sierra Leone’s Free Quality School Education Programme but warned that financing gaps, delayed disbursements, and rising debt servicing—projected to consume 29 percent of the 2026 budget—pose serious risks. She emphasized that education financing must be sufficient, efficient, equitable, and resilient, particularly for children facing poverty, disability, or geographic barriers.
The workshop is expected to deliver practical strategies for mobilizing resources through blended finance, diaspora engagement, and innovative domestic revenue measures, ensuring sustainable investment in education and improved learning outcomes across Sierra Leone.