The Government of Sierra Leone has received strong commendation from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Authority in Washington, D.C., following high-level engagements that underscored the country’s continued progress toward meeting key Compact requirements.
During a strategic meeting with senior Government officials, Acting Managing Director of the Department of Compact Operations, Madam Carrie Monahan, expressed satisfaction with Sierra Leone’s advancement under the MCC framework. She highlighted notable milestones, including the establishment of the Millennium Challenge Authority–Sierra Leone and ongoing discussions surrounding a critical minerals agreement, both of which signal the country’s readiness to deepen its partnership with the MCC.
Madam Carrie Monahan, however, emphasized the importance of the Government fulfilling its financial obligations to enable the formal signing of the Entry into Force agreement, a crucial step toward unlocking the full benefits of the Compact.
Reaffirming the Government’s position, Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, conveyed appreciation for the MCC’s sustained engagement and reiterated President Julius Maada Bio’s unwavering commitment to the Compact programme. He assured stakeholders that Sierra Leone remains focused on meeting all requirements necessary for successful implementation.
The Finance Minister outlined ongoing reforms within the energy sector, describing them as central to improving efficiency and sustainability. Among those measures are the establishment of a Collection Account and strategic efforts to enhance private sector participation in electricity distribution; initiatives aimed at strengthening financial discipline and boosting operational performance across the sector.
In a further demonstration of Sierra Leone’s commitment to creating an enabling investment climate, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura disclosed that Cabinet has approved the country’s proposed membership in the Africa Trade and Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI). He noted that the move is expected to stimulate investor confidence by providing insurance coverage against trade and investment risks, thereby encouraging greater capital inflows.
Also speaking at the meeting, Director of the Department of Policy and Evaluation, Madam Naureen Haque, commended Sierra Leone’s performance on the MCC scorecard. She urged the Government to sustain reform momentum, particularly in areas such as economic freedom, electoral processes and the promotion of national unity.
Responding to those recommendations, the Minister reaffirmed the Government’s inclusive approach, stressing its commitment to engaging all relevant stakeholders in the ongoing electoral reform process as well as in implementing the national unity agreement.
In her concluding remarks, Madam Naureen Haque described Sierra Leone as a “real success story” within the MCC framework, praising the depth of engagement between the Corporation and the Government.
The Finance Minister was accompanied by a high-powered delegation, including Minister of Energy, Cyril Grant; Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United States, Amara Sowa; Financial Secretary, Matthew Dingie; Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ibrahim Stevens; Chief Economist at the Ministry of Finance, Alimamy Bangura; and Technical Adviser to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Franklin Sisabu Bendu.
The meeting signals renewed momentum in Sierra Leone’s pursuit of the MCC Compact, reinforcing international confidence in the country’s reform trajectory and governance framework.
