By Fatima Kpaka
December 8, 2025: The Government of Sierra Leone has officially opened the 2025 Policy Conference on Financing for Development, a landmark national dialogue designed to mobilize sustainable financing for President Julius Maada Bio’s Big Five Game Changers and advance the country’s vision of becoming an inclusive, green, middle-income nation by 2039.
The three-day conference, held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, is jointly convened by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, the Ministry of Finance, and the United Nations. It brings together development partners, private sector leaders, academics, civil society, and financial institutions to explore innovative solutions for both domestic and external financing.
Keynote Address by Chief Minister
Delivering the keynote, Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh emphasized that the conference builds on President Bio’s vision to accelerate national development. He noted Sierra Leone’s participation at the Seville Conference on Financing for Development and underscored the importance of translating global commitments into tangible actions that directly benefit citizens.
Dr. Sengeh reaffirmed Government’s determination to deliver on the Big Five Game Changers—Feed Salone, Human Capital Development, Youth Employment, Public Service Reform, and Technology & Infrastructure—stressing that strategic financing is critical to achieving these priorities.
Objectives of the Conference
The conference seeks to mobilize creative and innovative financing solutions to advance inclusive development. Its objectives include:
Sharing knowledge on global best practices and innovative financial instruments.
Advocating for policies that strengthen domestic revenue and regulatory frameworks.
Building capacity for government and development finance professionals.
Fostering partnerships across government, development partners, private sector, and civil society.
Strengthening research to guide evidence-based financing decisions.
Calls for Innovative Financing
Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barlay, revealed that Sierra Leone will require at least US$2.6 billion in new financing over the next five years to fully implement the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030). She emphasized the urgency of innovative solutions, financial inclusion, and private sector engagement to support the Big Five priorities.
UN Resident Coordinator, Seraphine Wakana, highlighted the global US$4 trillion SDG financing gap and commended Sierra Leone’s proactive role in translating Seville commitments into national action. She called for stronger global partnerships and equitable financial reforms to support developing countries.
Dr. Samuel Bonzu, President of the Economics Association of Sierra Leone, stressed the importance of research and data in shaping sustainable financing policies. Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, outlined strategic pathways for fiscal management, revenue mobilization, and investment to support national priorities.
Expected Outcomes
The conference is expected to deliver:
Strategies to expand domestic revenue and reduce leakages.
New investment avenues aligned with the Big Five Game Changers.
Strengthened coordination among government, partners, and private sector.
A consolidated national action agenda to guide sustainable development financing and ensure effective delivery.
Looking Ahead
As Sierra Leone advances toward its 2039 vision, the Policy Conference represents a significant step in aligning national development priorities with sustainable financing solutions, ensuring that President Bio’s Big Five Game Changers translate into measurable impact for citizens.