Unlocking Sierra Leone’s fiscal challenges for sustainable development

This conference, opened by the Presidency and attended by a wide range of stakeholders – senior policymakers, development partners, private sector representatives, CSOs, researchers, and academics – creates an opportunity for a frank discussion on the fiscal challenges facing Sierra Leone and explores options for scaling up domestic revenue mobilisation. Presenters and participants share their experiences and offer innovative, context-specific solutions, taking into account the roles played by the public and private sectors, as well as development partners, in financing sustainable development.

The conference draws on insights from the recent Financing for Development Conference (FfD4) in Seville to help respond to emerging economic uncertainties and support the country in formulating resilient, forward-looking strategies that expand fiscal space and strengthen its economic outlook. The presentations and discussions not only focus on revenue mobilisation but also provide a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue to address key constraints and generate home-grown recommendations based on evidence, data, and lessons from other countries.

The conference is highly interactive, giving participants the opportunity to engage directly with policymakers and academic presenters, and to contribute to efforts to mobilise sustainable financing for Sierra Leone’s development.

The key issues

Sustainable development financing is vital if Sierra Leone is to achieve its national development aspirations. 

Sierra Leone faces widening financing gaps for its Medium-term National Development Plan (2024–2030), with an estimated additional financing need of over $3 billion.

Innovative and inclusive financing solutions, including adopting digital technology tools, could help close financing gaps. 

Strengthening domestic revenue mobilization and ensuring accountability in public financial management can also play an important role.

Convening for a commitment to action

The event will build towards a national action plan and multi-stakeholder commitments to implement recommended policy actions and strategies for mobilizing and managing sustainable development financing.