World Bank vice-president reaffirms stronger development partnership with Sierra Leone.

Diagana, World Bank vice-president, has reaffirmed a stronger development partnership with Sierra Leone.

Mr Diagana met Finance Minister Karefa A. F. Kargbo during a high-level visit, accompanied by Issatou Jalloh, the bank's new country manager. Talks focused on deepening development cooperation and accelerating the impact of World Bank-supported programmes.

Welcoming the delegation, Mr Kargbo described the visit as an honour, noting the scale of the bank's portfolio and its contribution to national development.

Mr Diagana congratulated Mr Kargbo on his appointment and said he was delighted to return to Sierra Leone. He stressed that results should be measured against disbursements, ensuring resources translate into meaningful, measurable outcomes.

Discussions also covered Mr Kargbo's priorities — fiscal discipline, domestic revenue mobilisation and effective cash-flow management — alongside the bank's support for social cohesion and improved access to public services across ministries, departments and agencies.

A key focus was the Country Partnership Framework (CPF), which will guide the bank's engagement and investment priorities. Mr Kargbo assured the delegation that the government would meet required deadlines, given a financing envelope of about US$600m, and called for frank dialogue, clear benchmarks and stronger coordination to safeguard future financing.

He also referenced the Development Policy Operation (DPO), a financing instrument providing budget support linked to agreed policy and institutional reforms, and confirmed that outstanding processes were expected to be completed by the end of October.

The courtesy call was followed by a high-level meeting with selected cabinet ministers, who presented achievements, priorities and challenges in their portfolios. Ministers responsible for health; technical and higher education; basic and senior secondary education; gender and children's affairs; fisheries; transport and aviation; environment and climate change; energy; communication, technology and innovation; and lands outlined the impact of World Bank interventions and identified areas needing further support.

The bank team responded positively, offering a platform to discuss challenges, assess results and strengthen implementation.

Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie noted that the Ministry of Finance negotiates financial agreements, with resources subsequently channelled to respective ministries for implementation. He described Sierra Leone as fortunate to enjoy the bank's continued attention and support, and expressed hope for additional funding.

Closing the session, Mr Kargbo reaffirmed Sierra Leone's recognition of the World Bank as a trusted partner that understands the country's constraints and aspirations. The government, he said, must equally play its part by meeting agreed commitments and delivering results.

The engagement underlined a shared commitment to stronger accountability, effective implementation and greater development impact.

The session ended with Deputy Minister of Finance II, Isata Marah, presenting souvenirs to the delegation in appreciation of the vice-president's visit and the bank's continued support.

MoF Communications