Sierra Leone’s banking and microfinance sectors have adopted the Sierra Leone Voluntary Sustainable Finance Principles (VSFP), the country’s first coordinated, sector-wide sustainable finance framework for financial institutions, on 23 June 2026.

The adoption marks an important step towards promoting responsible investment, sustainable economic growth, and a more resilient financial sector.

The framework was developed by the Sierra Leone Association of Commercial Banks (SLACB) and the Sierra Leone Association of Microfinance Institutions (SLAMFI), with technical support from Invest Salone, a UK-funded private sector development programme.

The framework comprises nine voluntary principles designed to guide financial institutions in integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into lending, investment, risk management, and broader business decision-making. It provides a common reference point for banks and microfinance institutions as they respond to emerging sustainability risks and opportunities.

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The principles reflect a growing recognition within Sierra Leone’s financial sector that ESG considerations are increasingly important for risk management, investment decisions, and long-term business performance.

Speaking on behalf of SLACB, Chairman Mohamed Samoura described the initiative as a milestone for the sector.

“The Sustainable Finance Principles mark an important milestone for Sierra Leone’s financial sector. They provide a practical framework to help institutions align business growth with environmental responsibility, social inclusion, and sound governance. By working together, we can strengthen the resilience of our financial system while supporting the country’s long-term growth ambitions,” he said.

Chairman of SLAMFI, Raymond Koroma, said the principles demonstrate the sector’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth.

“The Voluntary Sustainable Finance Principles create an opportunity for financial institutions of all sizes to support sustainable economic growth while expanding access to finance for businesses and communities across Sierra Leone. For us, sustainability is not abstract; it is about ensuring the woman selling at Abacha Street can still operate after the rains; it is about a farmer in Kabala accessing finance to switch to climate-smart inputs. It is about building businesses that can survive and grow beyond one generation,” he said.

He added that the principles are particularly important for microfinance institutions, as they connect financial inclusion with responsible and community-focused finance.

Emma Fofana of Invest Salone said the framework is the result of strong collaboration across the financial sector.

“The Voluntary Sustainable Finance Principles are the product of a genuinely collaborative effort across Sierra Leone’s financial sector. They also build on a broader programme of work to strengthen sustainable finance capacity, including support to the Bank of Sierra Leone, stakeholder dialogue, and knowledge sharing. This is an important milestone, but success will ultimately depend on how effectively these principles are implemented,” she said.

Following the adoption, financial institutions are expected to begin implementing the principles, marking a significant step in efforts to build a more resilient, inclusive, and investment-ready financial sector in Sierra Leone.