Finance Ministry opens FY2027 budget Discussions

The Finance Ministry Monday opened FY2027 bilateral budget talks covering all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). Agriculture and education officials presented first. Miatta Civic Centre, Freetown, hosted the sessions.

The engagements assess each institution's spending needs, review past performance, weigh implementation challenges, and match FY2027 proposals against national development goals.

Budget Bureau Director Tasima Jah opened proceedings, stressing the ministry's central role in driving the government's flagship Feed Salone agenda.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security reported 5,000 hectares of Inland Valley Swamps (IVS) developed in FY2025, plus 24,295 hectares cultivated across IVS, Boliland and Riverine zones spanning 15 districts. Officials also listed 2,000 metric tonnes of certified seed produced, 420 kilometres of feeder roads rehabilitated and 10 new rice mills established.

Under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), the ministry projects recurrent spending at Le110.56 million in 2027, rising to Le115.53 million in 2028 and Le123.04 million in 2029. Funding will target expanded mechanisation, irrigation, climate-smart agriculture, stronger seed systems and targeted empowerment of women and youth.

Deputy Finance Minister I Kadiatu Allie then questioned officials on resource allocation and implementation. Agriculture Minister Dr Musa Kpaka defended the ministry's requests, citing the funding needed to secure agricultural transformation.

The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education followed, led by Deputy Budget Director Illara Mahdi. Its session covered FY2025 achievements, FY2026 spending execution, ongoing infrastructure projects and progress on policy commitments made in the previous budget speech.

The ministry formally requested 1,662,179.3 [unit unspecified in source material], detailing the programmes, contracts and educational activities requiring financial backing.

Hearings continue over the coming days. Each MDA is expected to outline key deliverables, strategic plans, domestic and donor-funded capital projects, and gender-responsive budget allocations. The finance ministry says it will use the assessments to ensure final public sector allocations reflect performance, government priorities, and fiscal realities ahead of the FY2027 National Budget.