A World Bank mission led by Task Team Leader Madam Alari Ijilayoh Mahdi concluded its review of the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP) with a meeting on June 23, 2025. The meeting was attended by Acting Minister of Finance Mrs. Kadiatu Allie, Financial Secretary Mr. Matthew Dingie, Principal Deputy Financial Secretary Mr. Samuel E.B. Momoh, Chief Economist Mr. Alimamy Bangura, SLEDP Project Coordinator Mrs. Mary Jalloh, and Technical Adviser to the Minister Dr. Franklin Sisabu Bendu.
The World Bank delegation included Country Manager Mr. Abdu Muwonge and Co-Task Team Leader Madam Louise Twinning-Ward.
Mrs. Jalloh explained that the mission assessed the project’s readiness for closure by October 2025 through technical discussions and site visits to identify challenges and recommend corrective measures.
Mr. Dingie expressed gratitude for the World Bank’s support and emphasized completing all project activities before the deadline.
Madam Mahdi noted significant progress in addressing private sector constraints at economy-wide, sector-specific, and firm levels in Sierra Leone. She highlighted improvements such as reducing construction permit times from 182 days to 14 days and enhancing business registration processes at the National Investment Board.
The project has created over 14,000 jobs and leveraged more than US$600 million in private capital through a collateral registry. Tourism arrivals have doubled with key tourism sites nearing completion.
All project development objective indicators have been met, according to Madam Mahdi, who emphasized sustaining achievements while addressing sustainability challenges like asset maintenance and waste management.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Allie praised the project team’s dedication and urged timely completion of all activities while assuring collaboration with stakeholders to address issues raised during the mission.
Mrs. Jalloh thanked Mrs. Allie and Mr. Dingie for their support and reaffirmed commitment to achieving the project’s objectives.