Sierra Leone's Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Bangura, recently engaged in a significant meeting with a delegation from the European Union (EU) in Sierra Leone. The discussions, which transpired on December 11, 2023, included the participation of the two deputy ministers of the Ministry, Jeneba Bangura and Bockarie Albert, focusing on the intricacies of public finance management (PFM).

The dialogue delved into the tireless efforts undertaken by the Ministry to reform and enhance the public finance management (PFM) systems within the nation. Minister Sheku Ahmed Bangura provided valuable insights into the ongoing initiatives, shedding light on the strategies and measures implemented to augment the efficiency and transparency of Sierra Leone's financial management.

An integral precursor to this engagement was the conclusion of a week-long study tour on Sierra Leone's Public Financial Management and Human Resource systems and reforms by Abraham Makur Magnok, the Director General of Human Resource Management at the Ministry of Public Service and Human Resource Development. Mr. Magnok expressed a deep interest in comprehending Sierra Leone's approaches to Information Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), Public Financial Management (PFM), and Human Resource (HR) systems. The primary aim was to glean insights into best practices that his delegation could adopt for their benefit.

In response to these inquiries, Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie conveyed gratitude to the visiting delegation for selecting Sierra Leone as a case study. He emphasized the government's wholehearted willingness to support the exchange of information and experiences related to the various PFM and HR reforms and systems that the government is currently undertaking.

The engagement exemplifies Sierra Leone's commitment to financial transparency and effective public resource management. Collaborative discussions with international partners, such as the EU delegation, play a crucial role in fostering alliances and sharing valuable insights that contribute to the ongoing development of Sierra Leone's financial systems.