Bio Seeks Faster Development Delivery and Stronger Partner Coordination

President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has called for faster implementation of Sierra Leone’s development programmes, stronger coordination with development partners and urgent action to address critical financing gaps.

He made the call on 10 September at a meeting of the Presidential Development Partners Committee (DEPAC) at State House in Freetown.

President Bio said the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024–2030 and its Big Five Game Changers provide a roadmap for national transformation, but added that greater discipline, urgency and coordination are needed to turn plans into measurable results.

“Government must lead; partners must align; and both must be accountable for results,” he said.

Census financing remains a priority

The President identified data, delivery and the 2026 Population and Housing Census as one of five priority areas requiring attention.

He called for an urgent financing and disbursement plan to protect the census timetable. The financing gap has been estimated at US$37 million. Government has committed US$24 million, of which approximately US$15 million has been disbursed, while development partners have committed about US$1.5 million, according to figures highlighted by President Bio.

Census Night is scheduled for 1 December 2026. President Bio said reliable national data is essential for planning, resource allocation and service delivery.

Peace, reforms and youth opportunities

On peace and democratic governance, President Bio described the return of former President Ernest Bai Koroma as an important opportunity to deepen national reconciliation and reduce political tensions.

He also called for inclusive and nationally owned constitutional and electoral reforms ahead of the 2028 elections. The areas identified include stronger electoral institutions, credible voter registration, transparent results management and effective dispute resolution.

The President further urged closer alignment between the Feed Salone initiative and the Youth Employment Scheme. He said the coordination should expand opportunities in commercial agriculture, agro-processing and agribusiness.

He also called for a comprehensive response to harmful drug and substance abuse, covering prevention, law enforcement, mental-health care, treatment, rehabilitation, reintegration, skills development and employment support.

Economic management and development finance

President Bio reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to fiscal discipline, domestic revenue mobilisation and improved debt management. He said priority investments in food security, health, education and social protection must be protected.

He called for development resources to be used more effectively to attract responsible private capital, strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises and women-led businesses, improve access to finance, and support investment in reliable electricity, renewable energy and climate resilience.

He said the increasingly constrained international financing environment requires a coordinated approach combining domestic resources, concessional financing, climate finance and responsible private capital.

President Bio directed the Ministers of Finance; Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; and Planning and Economic Development to present a joint framework within 30 days. The framework is expected to address development-partner coordination, financing predictability and mutual accountability.

Partners reaffirm commitment

UN Resident Coordinator Madam Seraphine Wakana reaffirmed development partners’ commitment to working with the Government to strengthen democracy, promote sustainable peace and accelerate national development.

The meeting concluded with Government and development partners reaffirming their commitment to stronger coordination, predictable financing and greater accountability for measurable development results. Progress under the national plan is to be monitored through the National Development Plan Tracker.