Washington D.C. – Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance, Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, is leading a government delegation in Washington D.C. for the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group. The visit focuses on building stronger economic partnerships, advancing fiscal reforms, and improving access to development financing.
The delegation includes Bank of Sierra Leone Governor Ibrahim Stevens, National Revenue Authority Commissioner-General Jeneba Bangura, and Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie. Together, they are meeting with global financial leaders to discuss macroeconomic stability, domestic revenue growth, and long-term development plans.
Discussions with IMF officials, including the Executive Director representing Sierra Leone, African Department Director Dr. Abebe Aemro Selassie, and the Mission Chief, focus on progress under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and ongoing fiscal reforms. These talks are expected to strengthen Sierra Leone’s economic framework and support efforts to boost revenue collection.
The delegation is also meeting representatives from the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Conversations with World Bank Managing Director for Operations Anna Bjerde, AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina, and other partners focus on expanding project funding, investing in human capital, and improving resilience to economic challenges.
Sierra Leone will chair the Africa West Constituency Panel under the IMF framework and join the African Caucus Meetings with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank President Ajay Banga. These sessions will allow African finance ministers to discuss debt sustainability, climate finance, and inclusive growth.
Minister Bangura and his team are also taking part in several policy discussions, including “Governance and Sovereign Credit Ratings: Best Practices for African Countries” and the CEOG Policy Roundtable on “Financing Africa from Within.” Commissioner-General Jeneba Bangura will represent Sierra Leone at the session titled “Taxing Smarter After Aid,” which examines fairness and accountability in public finance.
Other meetings are planned with the U.S. Treasury, African Risk Capacity, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UN Economic Commission for Africa, and FreeBalance. Topics include digital finance systems, domestic revenue mobilization, and sustainable financing tools.
The delegation will also attend the Development Committee Plenary, the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) sessions, and the Afreximbank Ndiaye Lecture. These engagements are expected to produce outcomes that support Sierra Leone’s reform agenda, strengthen fiscal stability, and attract new investment.
By the end of the meetings, the Finance Ministry hopes to secure commitments that will reinforce economic growth, deepen partnerships, and boost confidence in Sierra Leone’s reform path.
