President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has called on Government institutions and development partners to strengthen coordination, address critical financing gaps and accelerate the implementation of national development programmes to deliver tangible results for Sierra Leoneans.
Speaking at the Presidential Development Partners Committee (DEPAC) meeting held at State House on Thursday, September 10, 2026, President Bio said the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024–2030 and its Big Five Game Changers provide a clear roadmap for national transformation. He, however, stressed that greater urgency, discipline and coordination are required to translate the country’s development plans into measurable outcomes.
The President outlined five priority areas: data and delivery, including the 2026 Population and Housing Census; political stability and constitutional and electoral reforms; youth, agriculture and human capital development; macroeconomic stability, energy and private-sector growth; and development financing, coordination and accountability.
President Bio highlighted the urgent need to close the estimated US$37 million financing gap for the 2026 Population and Housing Census. He disclosed that the Government had committed US$24 million, of which approximately US$15 million had been disbursed, while development partners had pledged about US$1.5 million.
He called for an urgent financing and disbursement plan to safeguard the census timetable, with Census Night scheduled for December 1, 2026. He emphasized that credible and reliable national data is essential for effective planning, resource allocation and improved public service delivery.
Addressing peace and democratic governance, President Bio described the return of former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma as an important opportunity to deepen national reconciliation and reduce political tensions.
He urged political leaders and citizens to reject inflammatory rhetoric, regional division, political intolerance and violence, while reaffirming the Government’s commitment to peace, constitutionalism, due process and national unity.
The President also called for inclusive and nationally owned constitutional and electoral reforms ahead of the 2028 elections. He said the process should strengthen electoral institutions, improve voter registration, ensure transparent results management and provide effective mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes.
On youth empowerment and agriculture, President Bio stressed the need to move beyond subsistence farming by connecting young people to skills, finance, production, processing, markets and sustainable employment opportunities.
He called for stronger alignment between the Feed Salone initiative and the Youth Employment Scheme to expand opportunities in commercial agriculture, agro-processing and agribusiness.
Addressing the growing challenge of harmful drug and substance abuse, President Bio called for a comprehensive national response combining prevention, law enforcement, mental-health care, treatment, rehabilitation, reintegration, skills development and employment support.
On the economy, the President reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to fiscal discipline, domestic revenue mobilization and improved debt management, while protecting priority investments in food security, health, education and social protection.
He encouraged greater use of development resources to attract responsible private capital, strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises and women-led businesses, improve access to finance and expand investments in reliable electricity, renewable energy and climate resilience.
President Bio noted that the increasingly constrained international financing environment requires a more coordinated approach involving domestic resources, concessional financing, climate finance and responsible private-sector investment.
He consequently directed the Ministers of Finance, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Planning and Economic Development to present, within 30 days, a joint framework for development-partner coordination, financing predictability and mutual accountability.
“Government must lead; partners must align; and both must be accountable for results,” President Bio stated.
He added that every agreed action must have a responsible institution, a clear deadline and a measurable result, with progress monitored through the National Development Plan Tracker.
Representing development partners, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Seraphine Wakana, reaffirmed their commitment to working with the Government to strengthen democracy, promote sustainable peace and accelerate national development.
She welcomed the Government’s focus on peace and national cohesion, youth employment, data and digitalization and expressed partners’ readiness to support evidence-based decision-making and programmes designed to improve governance and development outcomes.
The meeting concluded with the Government and development partners reaffirming their commitment to stronger coordination, predictable financing and greater accountability in delivering measurable development results for Sierra Leoneans.
