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Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa’s Agenda 2063 during a high-level regional workshop on “Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals: Advancing Subsidiarity in Practice.”
The three-day forum, jointly convened by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), and the Government of Sierra Leone, has brought together representatives from governments, local councils, civil society, UN agencies, and development partners from across Africa and beyond.
Delivering the keynote address, H.E. Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, Chief Minister of Sierra Leone, underscored the central role of local governance in achieving the SDGs.
“Our real heroes are the local actors, the people on the ground who are directly impacting lives,” he said, speaking on behalf of President Julius Maada Bio. “Municipalities, towns, and local councils are not only the front line of service delivery, they are also the laboratories of innovation and the true measure of how governments are performing.”
Dr. Sengeh emphasized the principle of subsidiarity, assigning responsibilities to the lowest effective level of governance, as essential to delivering results. He highlighted Sierra Leone’s pioneering experience with Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) and called for stronger alignment of local, national, regional, and global frameworks.
The Chief Minister also pointed to innovation in municipal finance and digital governance, citing Bo City Council’s introduction of digital tax payments and annual self-evaluations as examples of how local governments can strengthen accountability. He stressed that vulnerable districts require tailored financing models to bridge inequality gaps, and commended local councils that champion women, youth, and marginalized groups.
“Localization is not optional. Subsidiarity unlocks potential. And partnership must be our mantra,” Dr. Sengeh said, urging collaboration across government, civil society, and the private sector.
The three-day workshop combines peer learning, technical sessions, and working groups to identify practical strategies for embedding subsidiarity in governance. Expected outcomes include stronger national-local coordination, enhanced municipal finance frameworks, and improved capacity for resilience planning and service delivery.
Finally, Dr. Sengeh reminded participants in his closing appeal: “Real change happens when global aspirations meet local realities. Together, we can turn challenges into transformation and ensure that no one in Sierra Leone, and indeed across Africa, is left behind.”
