The Government of Sierra Leone has released its mid-year budget performance report for the 2025 fiscal year, showing steady progress despite revenue shortfalls and spending pressures.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the 2025 budget, launched under the theme “Improving the Well-Being and Quality of Life of Sierra Leoneans,” aims to strengthen economic resilience, promote inclusion, and improve living standards.
Budget implementation began in January following parliamentary approval in November 2024. The report points out that the first half of 2025 was characterized by efforts to clear arrears from previous years while ensuring that new spending remained within targets.
Total government expenditure for the first half of 2025 amounted to NLe17.42 billion, a 57 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Recurrent expenditure totaled NLe10.78 billion, while capital expenditure and net lending reached NLe6.97 billion.
Total revenue and grants were projected at NLe12.98 billion, including NLe9.55 billion in domestic revenue and NLe3.43 billion in donor grants. However, actual collections amounted to NLe11.12 billion, creating a shortfall mainly due to lower-than-expected domestic revenue mobilization.
Domestic revenue for the first half of 2025 stood at NLe9.02 billion, slightly below the target, but showing a 19.7 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Income taxes performed well, but collections from Goods and Services Tax (GST) and customs duties fell short of expectations.
The government attributed the improved overall revenue performance to improved tax administration, better monitoring through electronic systems, recovery of arrears, and stricter enforcement of compliance measures.
Grant disbursements from development partners totaled NLe2.10 billion, all from project grants, with no program grant support received during the period.
The report also noted that the wage bill, subsidies, and capital expenditures remained within target due to prudent financial management and delayed recruitments.
Despite the challenges, the government says it remains committed to meeting its fiscal targets for the year and to maintaining macroeconomic stability.
