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Freetown, Sierra Leone, September 23, 2025 – The National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) is seeking a budget allocation of NLE 15 million (approx. USD 1.5 million) in Sierra Leone’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget to accelerate poverty alleviation, expand youth employment opportunities, and strengthen rural development.
The request was formally presented to the Ministry of Finance on Monday, September 22, 2025, during the FY-2026 budget hearings in Freetown.
NaCSA’s Commissioner, Ernest Ndomahina, stressed the urgency of consistent financing to sustain its programs.
“Our mission is to lift Sierra Leoneans out of poverty, in line with President Bio’s vision. Consistent funding is vital for us to sustain and expand our impactful programs,” Ndomahina told the Finance Ministry.
NaCSA’s proposed budget focuses on five flagship deliverables designed to unlock inclusive growth:
Islamic Microfinance Fund: A USD 2.3 million facility managed by Apex Bank will boost small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kenema, Moyamba, Port Loko, Karene, and Tonkolili, fostering entrepreneurship and economic resilience.
Youth and Household Support: Social protection schemes will target 10,000 youth through employment and entrepreneurship initiatives, while 20,000 vulnerable households will receive income support to cushion extreme poverty.
Palm Oil Mill in Bonthe: Completion of a 10-metric ton per hour palm oil mill in Jong Chiefdom is expected to create 1,500 jobs, strengthening agribusiness value chains and food security.
Rural Growth Pole Development: Assessments of 12 chiefdoms under the SLCDD III framework will identify potential hubs for infrastructure and rural growth investments.
Infrastructure and Roads: Plans include 22 community infrastructure projects and the rehabilitation of 53.49 kilometers of feeder roads, improving market access and food system resilience.
Despite ambitious plans, NaCSA continues to face funding shortfalls. In 2025, the agency received just 44% of its approved budget—NLe 4.4 million out of NLe 10 million. The situation was worse in 2024, when only 13% of its NLe 8.64 million allocation was disbursed.
Ndomahina urged the Ministry of Finance to address delays in fund releases, warning that stalled disbursements undermine the commission’s capacity to deliver results.
NaCSA’s portfolio is heavily supported by donor funding, with major projects showing high disbursement rates:
SLCDD II (2016–2022): 84% of USD 46.6m disbursed
GPC III (2019–2023): 81% of USD 25.04m disbursed
GPCYE (2023–2028): 26% of USD 21.91m disbursed so far
In total, donor-backed projects account for USD 173.58 million, with over USD 131 million already disbursed. Government contributions exceed USD 174 million, bringing the overall project portfolio to more than USD 511 million.
NaCSA’s FY-2026 budget request highlights Sierra Leone’s commitment to sustainable development, job creation, and poverty reduction, even in the face of fiscal constraints. If approved and backed by timely disbursements, the funds could accelerate the commission’s drive to build resilient communities, expand youth opportunities, and strengthen rural economies nationwide.
