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The ongoing FY 2026 bilateral budget discussions at the Ministry of Finance have seen several key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) present their financial requests alongside progress updates on activities for 2024 and 2025.
On Friday, 19th September 2025, the Ministry of Energy submitted a proposed budget of NLe 951,678,600 for its 2026 operations at the Ministry of Finance’s conference rooms, George Street, Freetown.
Presenting on behalf of the Ministry, Shebora Kamara, Director of Policy Research, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation, highlighted the Ministry’s mandate to develop and implement energy policies, projects, and programs while overseeing the entire energy supply chain, including EDSA, EGTC, and the Bumbuna Watershed Management.
Kamara noted that in 2025, the Ministry achieved significant milestones, including strengthening the national grid infrastructure through the 225KV Double Circuit Transmission Line from Bumbuna to Waterloo Newton, the Southern Corridor Transmission Line (225KV), and expansion of the 66KV and 33KV distribution network along the Peninsula. Other accomplishments included electrification of seven district towns, rehabilitation of EGTC plants, and powering ecological agro zones to support the Feed Salone Project in Mambolo, Kychum, and Gbondapie/Tomabome rice fields.
Meanwhile, the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) also made its case during the sessions. Its Director of Finance, Lahai Kamara, emphasized SALWACO’s mandate to serve 44 towns nationwide, noting that work is ongoing in 10 locations through construction and rehabilitation projects.
SALWACO reported impressive revenue performance, achieving 95.6 percent of its 2024 target, collecting NLe 8.22 million out of the budgeted NLe 8.25 million. Revenue rose by 21 percent between 2022 and 2024, and the agency projects an increase to NLe 17 million by 2026, supported by the integration of solar-powered systems to boost electricity supply for water production.
Similarly, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources submitted a budget request of NLe 312.9 million to fund its operations in the 2026 fiscal year.
The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) followed with a proposed budget of NLe 613,557,932.40, aimed at tree planting initiatives, sustainable management of the Western Area Peninsula, and other environmental priorities. However, the Ministry highlighted constraints including inadequate funding, weak technical staff capacity, and limited cooperation from other MDAs.
The bilateral budget discussions will continue with presentations from other MDAs in the coming days, as the Ministry of Finance works to finalize the FY 2026 budget framework.
Source: ministry of finance
