Sierra Leone Hosts IMF-Backed Summit, AFRITAC, for Regional Economic Reform

Sierra Leone Hosts IMF-Backed Summit, AFRITAC, for Regional Economic Reform

Sierra Leone recently concluded the 13th Steering Committee meeting of the IMF-supported AFRITAC West 2 Centre, hosting senior government officials and economic experts from across West Africa to advance regional institutional capacity and economic governance.

The two-day summit, held from June 18–19, convened delegates from Sierra Leone, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, The Gambia, and other member states to address critical reform areas, including public financial management (PFM), revenue administration, banking supervision, and economic governance.

Minister of Planning and Economic Development Kenyeh Barlay, who chaired the committee, praised the IMF for providing technical support that has been instrumental in strengthening Sierra Leone’s public institutions. She highlighted the country's progress in developing capital investment databases, formalizing public investment management guidelines, and integrating gender-responsive budgeting into national planning.

"Sierra Leone and other member countries share a common goal of building stronger institutions capable of delivering effective economic reforms and sustainable development," Minister Barlay stated.

The sessions provided a platform for reviewing the 2025–2026 financial year achievements and setting priorities for the upcoming period. Technical discussions underscored Sierra Leone’s strides in fiscal discipline, particularly regarding the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), improved taxpayer registration, and enhanced oversight of state-owned enterprises.

A central highlight was an experience-sharing session led by Acting National Budget Director Dr. Ilara Mahdi, who detailed Sierra Leone’s success in refining budgeting processes and fiscal oversight mechanisms. These reforms are widely seen by experts as essential precursors to improved public service delivery and government accountability across the region.

Observers noted that hosting the regional meeting not only underscores the growing international recognition of Sierra Leone’s ongoing reform efforts but also provides a strategic opportunity for the nation to lead regional discourse on sustainable economic development.