The National Investment Board (NIB) has successfully presented its budget for the 2025 fiscal year to the Budget Hearing Committee at the Ministry of Finance, earning approval after an in-depth review. Led by Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy, the Executive Director of NIB, the presentation emphasized the board's ongoing transition and its initiative to consolidate key agencies under one unified entity.

Dr. Sandy highlighted NIB’s mission to position Sierra Leone as a top investment destination by creating a streamlined process for investment facilitation and support services. He also stressed the importance of formalizing Public-Private Dialogues (PPDs) to foster better collaboration between the government and private sector.

Given that NIB is still in its early stages, Dr. Sandy underscored the necessity for significant financial resources to build the agency's capacity. Joe Gbonda, NIB’s Director of Strategy, Policy, and Planning, provided a detailed breakdown of the agency’s financial allocations and how they plan to use the funds effectively.

Representatives from related agencies, including the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Unit, and the Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SLIEPA), also participated, reviewing their previous budgets and expressing readiness to align with NIB's vision.

The budget hearing ended with a Q&A session, during which civil society members, media, and committee participants sought clarification on the integration process of these agencies under NIB. The NIB team confidently addressed these concerns, reaffirming their commitment to attracting credible investors and boosting economic growth in Sierra Leone.

Mariatu Brown, Deputy Financial Secretary and Chairperson of the Budget Hearing Committee, praised NIB for its thorough presentation and encouraged the agency to maintain its focus on results. The committee then unanimously approved NIB’s budget for 2025, marking a strong endorsement of the agency’s goals and plans.