The National Investment Board (NIB) today presented its budget for the 2025 fiscal year to the Budget Hearing Committee at the Ministry of Finance, securing approval after a thorough review. The presentation, led by Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy, the Executive Director of NIB, highlighted the institution’s ongoing transition and its efforts to consolidate key agencies under its umbrella.

Dr. Sandy emphasized the NIB’s strategic goal of positioning Sierra Leone as a premier investment destination by creating a one-stop shop for investment facilitation and aftercare services. He also underscored the importance of institutionalizing Public Private Dialogues (PPDs) to enhance collaboration between the government and private sector.

Given that the NIB is still in its formative stages, Dr. Sandy stressed the need for substantial financial resources to build the agency’s capacity to fulfill its mission. This sentiment was echoed by Joe Gbonda, NIB’s Director of Strategy, Policy, and Planning, who presented a detailed account of the agency’s financial allocations and their effective utilization.

Representatives from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Public Private Partnership (PPP) Unit, and Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SLIEPA) also made presentations. They reviewed their previous budgets and achievements while expressing readiness to align their operations with NIB’s vision of a unified investment facilitation entity.

The budget hearing concluded with a rigorous Q&A session, where civil society representatives, media personnel, and committee members sought clarity on the integration process of the agencies under NIB. The NIB team addressed these inquiries confidently, reinforcing their commitment to attracting credible investors and driving economic growth in Sierra Leone.

Deputy Financial Secretary and Chairperson of the Budget Hearing Committee, Mariatu Brown, lauded the NIB for its comprehensive presentation and urged the agency to continue its focus on results. Following the deliberations, the committee unanimously approved the NIB’s 2025 fiscal year budget, signaling strong support for the agency’s vision and objectives.