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Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio has received a high-level delegation from the World Bank at State House in Freetown, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on Sierra Leone’s national development priorities.
The delegation, led by Executive Director Dr. Zarau Kibwe, includes six Executive Directors and three Alternate Executive Directors representing 67 countries.
They are in Sierra Leone on an assessment mission aimed at reviewing the impact of World Bank-supported programmes and deepening engagement across key sectors, especially in the context of ongoing global economic challenges.
Speaking during the courtesy visit, Minister of Finance Ahmed Sheku Fantamadi Bangura said the mission forms part of a three-day engagement involving consultations with government officials, private sector actors, civil society, and the media. He noted that the visit reflects the World Bank’s continued commitment to strengthening its partnership with Sierra Leone.
Dr. Kibwe commended President Bio’s leadership and reform agenda, stating that Sierra Leone’s macroeconomic direction has enhanced its standing within the Bank’s constituency. He said the mission is focused on assessing progress and identifying areas where further support is needed.
Madam Zainab Ahmed, speaking on behalf of the delegation, described Sierra Leone as an important partner country and reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting government priorities. She highlighted education, energy, and women’s empowerment as key areas for continued collaboration.
Other members of the delegation, including Mr. Matteo Bugamelli of Italy, Mr. Velavan Gnanendran of the United Kingdom, Mr. Arnaud Buissé of France, and Ms. Jiandi Ye of China, praised Sierra Leone’s national development plan, noting its alignment with global priorities in education, energy, mining, and digital transformation.
In response, President Bio welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the long-standing support of the World Bank across key sectors of the economy.
“The World Bank’s support has been instrumental in our development journey, especially in agriculture, infrastructure, and human capital,” President Bio said.
He reiterated government’s commitment to advancing digital transformation, improving infrastructure, and strengthening flagship programmes in agriculture and the blue economy. He added that sustained cooperation with the World Bank remains essential to achieving these national goals.
President Bio also expressed appreciation for the Bank’s support during global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and reaffirmed his government’s focus on building a skilled and competitive workforce through improved education and capacity development.
