Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura; Financial Secretary, Mathew Dingie; Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ibrahim Stevens; and the Commissioner-General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Madam Jeneba Bangura.

The Government of Sierra Leone has welcomed the announcement that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reached a staff-level agreement with the country on the 1st and 2nd Reviews of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme, paving the way for the disbursement of US$78.8 million in financial support.

This significant milestone reflects the strong and consistent economic reforms championed by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, alongside the competent stewardship of the nation’s economic management team. The team includes the Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura; Financial Secretary, Mathew Dingie; Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ibrahim Stevens; and the Commissioner-General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Madam Jeneba Bangura.

Their collective dedication to fiscal discipline, monetary stability, and structural reforms has reinforced confidence in the national economy and strengthened the framework for inclusive and sustainable growth.

The IMF announcement comes just one day ahead of the Minister of Finance’s presentation of the 2026 National Budget to Parliament on Friday, 28th November 2025. The development further underscores the administration’s commitment to delivering a pro-people, stability-focused and reform-anchored budget—one that prioritizes essential social services, supports vulnerable populations and stimulates broad-based economic expansion.

The Ministry of Information and Civic Education assures the public that it will continue to provide timely updates as the country moves toward Budget Day.

​The Calabash Newspaper is Sierra Leone’s leading English‑language news platform—established in 2017 to deliver trusted coverage of politics, culture, health, and more to audiences both at home and abroad.