The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) has outlined fresh plans to attract investment, mobilise development resources and strengthen coordination as Sierra Leone intensifies efforts to advance its national development agenda.

The Ministry presented the plans on Thursday, August 27, 2026, during an engagement with the Parliamentary Committee on Planning and Economic Development.

The meeting, chaired by Committee Chairman Hon. Musa Fofanah, brought together Minister of Planning and Economic Development Kenyeh Barlay, Deputy Minister Dr Jonathan Titus-Williams, senior Ministry officials and members of the Parliamentary Committee.

Presenting an update on the Ministry’s work, Director of Planning, Policy and Research Dr Sheka Bangura highlighted ongoing efforts to implement the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP), mobilise resources and address the country’s development financing needs.

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Dr Bangura disclosed that MoPED is advancing 10 bankable projects across sectors including the blue economy, tourism, fisheries, sea transportation and agriculture. The projects are intended to create opportunities for investment while supporting broader national economic development.

He also highlighted the Ministry’s community-level development planning initiative, noting that pilot plans are being validated in Maforki and Marampa. The initiative is designed to help communities identify development priorities, support project planning and improve resource allocation.

Progress on ECOWAS-supported projects was also presented, including the completed ECOWAS Logistics Depot at Lungi, the Sierra Leone-Liberia Joint Border Post, where mobilisation is underway, and the Wai Village Border Market, which is at an advanced stage.

The Ministry also provided updates on sanitary pad factories in Kono and Moyamba as part of its broader development interventions.

Responding to questions from Members of Parliament, Minister Kenyeh Barlay outlined plans to develop an investment-readiness framework aimed at positioning Sierra Leone to attract investors by creating appropriate enabling conditions and providing clear evidence of government commitment and guarantees.

She further highlighted the proposed regional cabotage project, which seeks to establish maritime connections between Abidjan, Monrovia, Freetown, Conakry, Tema and Senegal for the movement of passengers, containers and vehicles.

The Minister said the proposed initiative could help reduce the cost and time involved in transporting goods along the West African coast while strengthening regional trade and connectivity.

Committee Chairman Hon. Musa Fofanah acknowledged the challenges facing MoPED and assured the Ministry of the Committee’s willingness to support its efforts to fulfil the country’s national development objectives.

He stressed the importance of stronger coordination across government, warning that ministries and institutions that fail to report relevant development activities to MoPED could undermine the effective implementation and monitoring of the President’s development agenda.

The meeting was subsequently adjourned, with the date and time of the next sitting to be communicated.