By Fatima Kpaka
Sierra Leone — September 22, 2025: The National Investment Board (NIB) has successfully presented and secured approval for its Fiscal Year 2026 budget during a formal session with the Budget Committee at the Ministry of Finance. The presentation, held in the Ministry’s Conference Room, showcased NIB’s strategic direction, recent achievements, and future priorities aimed at transforming Sierra Leone into a globally competitive investment destination.
Dr Edward Hinga Sandy, Executive Director of NIB, opened the session by reaffirming the Board’s statutory mandate to coordinate, promote, and facilitate investments across the country. He highlighted the development of the National Investment Strategy (NIS 2025–2030), which aligns with the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030) and the Government’s Big Five Game Changers. Dr Sandy emphasized ongoing reforms, including reduced business registration turnaround times, digitalisation efforts, and the establishment of NIB as a one-stop shop for investment services.
“Our vision is to create an efficient, transparent, and globally competitive investment ecosystem that drives growth, jobs, and foreign exchange inflows,” Dr Sandy stated.
Providing a financial overview, Mr Mohamed Abu Sesay, Director of the Public-Private Partnership Directorate, detailed NIB’s budget performance for 2024 and 2025. He noted key accomplishments such as mobilising nearly US$6 million in PPP and investment projects—particularly in renewable energy—advancing sector mapping for SME opportunities, and digitising business registration processes.
Looking ahead, Mr Sesay outlined the 2026 budget priorities, structured around four pillars of the National Investment Strategy: expanding investment opportunities; enhancing investor engagement and support; developing financing structures and funding channels; and building competitiveness through an enabling business environment
The session concluded with a dynamic Q&A segment, where civil society, media, and Budget Committee members engaged NIB officials on issues of revenue mobilisation, investor facilitation, and institutional reforms. NIB responded with clarity and transparency, reinforcing its commitment to sound governance.
In his closing remarks, Mr SEB Momoh, Principal Deputy Financial Secretary, praised NIB’s comprehensive presentation and urged the Board to maintain its momentum in delivering impactful investment outcomes.
Following deliberations, the Budget Committee unanimously approved NIB’s 2026 budget, marking a significant step forward in Sierra Leone’s investment climate enhancement.