Banking & M&A: Union Trust Bank has officially ceased operations as Rokel Commercial Bank completes its acquisition, after years of regulatory pressure and a capital shortfall. Telecom & Consumer Tech: Cyprus-based Asbis says Apple has appointed its Middle East unit as an authorised distributor across multiple African markets, including Sierra Leone, with first shipments already made. Judiciary & Trade/Maritime: Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice Komba Kamanda has been invited to Nigeria’s 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges, boosting the country’s maritime legal visibility. Regional Health Funding: Togo is set to benefit from a $14.26m West African health systems grant that also targets Sierra Leone and other ECOWAS states, including cross-border “One Health” lab work. Policy & Business Climate: Ghana’s plastic manufacturers are asking for more time and financial relief over a planned polystyrene foam ban, warning of jobs and investment risks. Public Debate & Media: SLAJ president Manika Kamara defends the association’s editorial independence despite receiving a government subsidy. Health Security: Africa CDC warns the DRC Ebola outbreak could surpass past crises if cases aren’t contained fast enough. Sports & Governance: Sierra Leone’s football leadership attended FIFA’s 2026 Executive Summit, including the shift to FIFA Forward 4.0 funding.
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Banking Shake-up: Union Trust Bank has officially ceased operations as Rokel Commercial Bank completes its acquisition, after years of regulatory pressure and UTB’s capital shortfall. Regional Security & Trade: ECOWAS and GCCPC are pushing stronger competition and consumer-protection laws to help markets work better across West Africa. Drug Trafficking Crackdown: Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai vows to “expose and destroy” drug networks after a major cocaine seizure worth over US$19.2m, with Sierra Leone’s opposition leader also raising concerns about links to organised trafficking. Health Risk for Business: Africa CDC warns the Ebola outbreak in Congo could become the worst on record as cases rise and exposed contacts remain untraced—raising pressure on travel and operations. Education Funding: The World Bank approved US$300m for Ghana’s secondary education reforms to tackle overcrowding and end the double-track system by 2027. Women & Governance: Sierra Leone’s first lady denies supporting FGM but says she will not openly condemn it without “reliable data,” as critics demand clearer alignment with rights commitments. Migration & Safety: A boat fire in The Gambia left 33 migrants with severe burns, including a pregnant woman, after 72 were rescued. Sports Development: Sierra Leone’s football leadership attended FIFA’s 2026 Executive Summit in Miami, as FIFA shifts to Forward 4.0 funding.
Food Security Communications: FAO urged West African communication teams to treat storytelling as a strategic tool for food security and resilience, spotlighting how better messaging can strengthen livestock, agribusiness and the blue economy. FGM Governance & Public Trust: Sierra Leone’s first lady Fatima Maada Bio refused to condemn FGM without “reliable data,” as health and rights groups pressed Oaflad for clarification—while London’s Southwark Council repossessed her long-rented social housing flat after a tenancy probe. Regional Security & Trade Risks: Liberia’s president vowed to “expose and destroy” drug trafficking networks after a major cocaine seizure, underscoring spillover risks for West Africa’s business environment. Ebola Threat to Business Travel: Africa CDC warned the Ebola outbreak could be the worst ever as cases are missed; Afreximbank later cancelled its flagship meeting, citing public health and safety concerns for investors and trade. Banking Talent Pipeline: FirstBank opened applications for its 2026 Pan-African Graduate Trainee Programme, including placements in Sierra Leone, aiming to build cross-border banking leaders. ECOWAS Investment Push: President Bio secured Tony Elumelu’s backing for WAIIS, a November 2026 summit meant to mobilise private-sector investment for regional integration. Parliament Watch: Deputy Speaker Ibrahim Tawa Conteh raised concerns over the Aminata & Sons agreement, citing deferred tax concessions and major financial implications for the state. National ID Drive: NCRA asked Western Area tribal leaders to boost biometric National ID registration, linking it to banking, SIM registration, employment and land transactions.
Banking & Jobs: FirstBank has opened applications for its 2026 Pan-African Graduate Trainee Programme, offering young graduates placements across Nigeria, DR Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone, the Gambia and Senegal, with eligibility tied to academics and NYSC completion. Housing & Governance: Southwark Council in London has repossessed a two-bedroom social housing flat previously rented by Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Jabbe-Bio, after a year-long probe into whether it was her “only or principal home.” Trade & Finance: Afreximbank has cancelled its flagship annual meeting in Egypt’s El Alamein, shifting business to correspondence as an Ebola outbreak threatens travel and trade activity. Regional Investment: President Julius Maada Bio says Aliko Dangote has backed the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS), with Tony Elumelu also pledging support for the Nov 16–18, 2026 event. Energy & Mining: Sierra Leone’s Mines Minister Julius Daniel Mattai will represent the country at the African Energy Forum 2026 in Cape Town, taking part in sessions on industrialisation and critical minerals. Public Services & IDs: NCRA is pushing National ID registration in the Western Area, urging traditional leaders to mobilise communities as the card becomes required for banking, SIM registration, land transactions and formal employment. Education Policy: A study highlights why public-private partnerships matter in education, arguing they can help close funding and quality gaps. Sports Administration: Sierra Leone Football Association leaders Babadi Kamara and Mohamed Benson Bawoh attended FIFA’s Executive Summit in Miami, where FIFA outlined the shift to FIFA Forward 4.0 and new youth tournament plans. Parliament Watch: Deputy Speaker Ibrahim Tawa Conteh raised concerns over the Aminata & Sons agreement, questioning deferred tax concessions and calling for transparency. Human Capital: NUKaFS-SL awarded NLe 105,595 in scholarships to 16 students, backing disciplines from medicine to business and public administration. Maritime Security: Sierra Leone is among pioneer states in the Combined Maritime Task Force Gulf of Guinea, aimed at protecting Gulf of Guinea trade and advancing the blue economy. Health & Safety: A migrant boat fire in the Gambia left 33 people with severe burns, including children, after 72 were rescued. Crime & Courts: A Freetown court sentenced a driver to imprisonment for stealing a 5,000 KVA diesel generator, underscoring ongoing enforcement against theft. CSR: Hashaston Services carried out free fumigation at AdelaideS Street Police Station to improve hygiene and public safety.
ECOWAS Investment Push: President Julius Maada Bio secured backing for the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS) from Aliko Dangote, with the summit set for Nov 16–18, 2026, aiming to mobilise private-sector-led investment across energy, minerals, agribusiness and digital transformation. National ID Drive: The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) is partnering with traditional leaders to boost biometric National ID registration in the Western Area, with the card now required for banking, NASSIT enrolment, SIM registration, vehicle licensing, land transactions, passports and formal jobs. Energy Sector Scrutiny: Media personality Vickie Remoe raised concerns over a proposed “Aminata” oil concession deal, arguing it could give a foreign firm preferential treatment over existing local players. Maritime Security: Sierra Leone is among six pioneer states launching the Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea, a regional effort to protect maritime trade and advance the blue economy. Labour & Jobs: Sierra Leone’s Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security met the ILO leadership in Geneva to strengthen labour reforms and “decent work” cooperation. Business & Finance: IMF staff agreed with Sierra Leone on the third review under the ECF/RSF, while warning of growing pressures. Public Safety CSR: Hashaston Services carried out free fumigation at the Adelaide Street Police Station to improve hygiene and working conditions. Politics: Sierra Leone’s main opposition APC chairman Minkailu Mansaray has died in Dakar after a long illness.
ECOWAS Investment Push: President Julius Maada Bio secured backing for the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS) after meetings with Aliko Dangote and Tony Elumelu, as the November 16–18, 2026 summit aims to mobilise private capital for regional energy, minerals, agribusiness and digital growth. National ID Drive: The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) is partnering with Western Area tribal leaders to boost biometric National ID registration, with chiefs to help mobilise communities and mobile teams to cover underserved areas—key for banking, SIM registration, land deals and employment. Labour & Jobs: Sierra Leone’s Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security met the ILO in Geneva to strengthen cooperation on decent work and labour reforms, following national social dialogue efforts in Freetown. Energy Access Prep: MoPED and EDSA began community sensitisation and on-the-spot verification for Project Affected Persons under the Enhancing Sierra Leone Energy Access Project, ahead of expanded solar power rollout. Business & Finance: Mines Minister Julius Daniel Mattai is set to represent Sierra Leone at the African Energy Forum 2026 in Cape Town, focusing on critical minerals and industrialisation. Education Support: NUKaFS-SL awarded NLe 105,595 in scholarships to 16 students for 2025/2026, targeting merit and inclusion across key disciplines. Governance & Integrity: Opposition figures renewed calls around the detention of Admire Bio over an alleged gold scam, while concerns also surfaced over a proposed “Aminata” oil concession deal and its impact on local operators.
Maritime Security: Sierra Leone joined six pioneer states in flagging off the Combined Maritime Task Force Gulf of Guinea (CMTF-GoG) in Lagos, a push for African-led action to protect Gulf of Guinea trade and the blue economy. National ID & Finance Access: The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) is partnering with traditional leaders to speed biometric National ID registration in the Western Area, saying the card is now needed for banking, NASSIT, SIM registration, vehicle licensing, land deals and formal jobs. Jobs & Skills: Mercy Ships’ departure has left over 300 Sierra Leonean crew members jobless, with calls for government and private employers to absorb the trained workforce. Cybersecurity: Nigeria won the $10,000 grand prize at the 4th ECOWAS regional cybersecurity hackathon in Accra, with Sierra Leone among participating countries. Energy & Investment: President Bio secured Tony Elumelu’s backing for the WAIIS summit (16–18 Nov 2026) aimed at boosting regional integration through energy trade, minerals, agribusiness and digital transformation. Education Support: NUKaFS-SL awarded NLe 105,595 in scholarships to 16 students for 2025/2026. Governance & Labour: MoPED and EDSA began on-the-spot verification for Project Affected Persons under ESLEAP, while the Labour Minister met the ILO to strengthen labour reforms and decent work.
Energy & Industry: Sierra Leone’s Mines Minister Julius Daniel Mattai will represent the country at the African Energy Forum 2026 in Cape Town, taking part in sessions on industrialisation and critical minerals. Development & Resettlement: MoPED and EDSA have begun a four-day verification exercise with the National Development-Induced Resettlement Directorate for Project Affected Persons under ESLEAP, covering 13 communities in Pujehun. Labour & Jobs: Employment Minister Mohamed Rahman Swaray met the ILO Director-General in Geneva to strengthen cooperation on labour reforms and decent work, following Sierra Leone’s recent national labour conference. Governance & Rights: HRCSL signed an MoU with Men on a Mission Global to coordinate action on access to justice, gender justice, mental health advocacy, youth empowerment and community protection. Business & Finance: NAB Consulting says it has completed a €250m structured finance facility for Niger with Afreximbank support, targeting sectors including SMEs, agriculture, energy and infrastructure. Education Support: NUKaFS-SL announced scholarships worth about NLe 105,595 for 16 students under its Hamid Gbawuru Marah Academic Excellence, Inclusion and Impact Scholarship Award. Public Debate: Media entrepreneur Vickie Remoe raised concerns about a proposed “Aminata” oil deal, warning it could disadvantage local players in Sierra Leone’s energy sector. Justice & Anti-Corruption: ACC’s Ben Kaifala met Liberia’s asset recovery team in Monrovia to boost cross-border cooperation on tracing and recovering stolen public assets.
Energy Resettlement & Access: MoPED’s resettlement directorate joined EDSA for a four-day on-the-spot verification of Project Affected Persons under ESLEAP in 13 Pujehun corridor communities, ahead of expanded solar power and grid work. Oil Deal Scrutiny: Entrepreneur Vickie Remoe raised alarms over a proposed “Aminata” oil concession, arguing it could tilt terms against local operators and undermine fair competition in Sierra Leone’s energy sector. Labour Reform Talks: Employment Minister Mohamed Rahman Swaray met the ILO Director-General in Geneva, discussing labour reforms and “decent work” standards, including platform-economy and gender-equality frameworks. Anti-Corruption Cooperation: Sierra Leone’s ACC boss Francis Ben Kaifala met Liberia’s asset recovery team in Monrovia to strengthen cross-border tracing and recovery of public assets. Urban Services & Costs: Freetown City Council set price caps for waste collection, with regulated maximum charges for households, businesses and institutions. Justice & Policing: A man was remanded over alleged theft from the Finance Ministry, while IGP William Fayia Sellu urged stronger police-media partnership at SLAJ’s AGM. Local Governance Pressure: Residents along Hill Side Bye-Pass report worsening flooding from blocked drains and demand faster action. Macroeconomic Watch: The IMF says Sierra Leone’s reforms are stabilising the economy, but warns of weaker 2026 revenue and rising external pressures.
IMF Watch: The IMF says Sierra Leone’s ECF progress is real, citing a 1.3% domestic primary surplus in 2025 and improved inflation and exchange-rate stability, but warns 2026 is getting tougher as revenue underperforms and fuel/food shocks rise. Housing Deal: Government signs an MoU for affordable housing and university student hostels, pointing to stronger public-private partnerships to ease accommodation pressure. Urban Sanitation: Freetown City Council rolls out a regulated price list for “Dorti Mus Go” waste collection, setting maximum charges for households and businesses to curb arbitrary fees. Local Governance & Flooding: Residents along Hill Side Bye-Pass complain blocked drainage is worsening flooding and disrupting movement, urging faster action. Anti-Corruption Cooperation: Sierra Leone’s ACC meets Liberia’s asset recovery team to strengthen cross-border tracing and recovery of public assets. Judiciary Reform: Chief Justice Komba Kamanda highlights reforms expanding access to justice, including taking the Court of Appeal to provinces and digitising court operations, while noting funding and backlog challenges. Trade & Industry: ECOWAS ministers push “mine together, process together” to add value to minerals and boost regional industrialisation and trade. Hajj Administration: Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister says Hajj reforms under the current government have improved transparency, logistics and safety, with no government debt reported.
Macroeconomic Outlook: The IMF says Sierra Leone is making progress under its ECF/RSF programme, citing a 1.3% domestic primary surplus in 2025 and improved inflation and exchange-rate stability, but warns 2026 is getting tougher as revenue underperforms and spending pressures rise. Anti-Corruption & Asset Recovery: ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala met Liberia’s asset recovery team in Monrovia to strengthen regional cooperation on tracing, recovering and safeguarding public assets. Local Governance & Services: Freetown City Council set price caps for “Dorti Mus Go” waste collection, with maximum charges for households and businesses to curb arbitrary pricing. Urban Safety: Residents along Freetown’s Hill Side Bye-Pass say blocked drainage channels are worsening flooding, disrupting commuters and raising health risks. Education & Capacity Building: Sierra Leone and Nigeria deepen educational ties as the Technical and Higher Education ministry engages Nigeria Technical Aid Corps to boost university capacity, including plans for a second medical school at Njala. Housing Delivery: Government signed an MOU for affordable housing units and student hostels, signalling a push for public-private partnerships to ease accommodation pressures. Investment & SMEs: The National Investment Board urges stronger support for SMEs at an investor roundtable aimed at turning interest into closed deals. Regional Trade & Industry: ECOWAS trade ministers in Accra push “mine together, process together” and warn that bilateral deals outside the customs framework could weaken the bloc’s bargaining power.
Housing Finance: Government signs an MOU for affordable housing units and university student hostels, signaling a push for stronger public-private partnerships to ease accommodation pressure. SME Investment: The National Investment Board calls for tougher investment support for SMEs at an investor roundtable aimed at turning interest into closed deals. Local Governance: IGR and MoPED launch Local Council Development Plans to boost citizen participation, accountability, and service delivery at the grassroots. Maritime Reform: Parliament passes a revised Merchant Shipping Act, with the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration calling it a milestone for a modern, investment-attracting maritime sector. Business & Trade Pressure: A Sierra Leonean writer issues an open letter to the Minister of Trade and Industry, questioning reported concessions for a foreign firm while local businesses face tougher conditions. Freetown Climate Jobs: PI-CREF and Mayor Aki-Sawyerr review progress on the Tree Town initiative, including plans for a municipal carbon credit programme. Governance Appointments: Parliament approves six presidential nominees, including regional commissioners and a DG for the transport authority. Media Funding: SLAJ receives SLE 2.7m government subvention for 2026, citing audits and a focus on journalist safety and professional development.
Maritime Modernisation: Sierra Leone’s Maritime Administration says Parliament’s passage of the revised Merchant Shipping Act is a major step to modernise the sector, boost trade and investment, and improve security and competitiveness. Anti-Corruption Cooperation: ACC-SL and Liberia’s LACC reaffirmed cross-border action under their MoU, including personnel exchanges, joint training and “borderless investigation” to close loopholes that let corruption move across frontiers. Media Funding: The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists received a 2026 government subvention of SLE 2.7m, citing audits and use for safety, freedom and professional development while stressing editorial independence. Digital Security Skills: ECOWAS’s cybersecurity hackathon in Accra runs with 12 national teams and 48 hours of defence-building; Ghana’s CSA and a local firm (00SEC) designed the scenarios, underscoring regional capacity. IMF Programme Update: An IMF mission agreed on Sierra Leone’s third review under the ECF and a request for RSF support, noting progress on stabilising the exchange rate and inflation while warning revenue and spending pressures remain. Energy Politics: The Information Minister says SLPP could win big in 2028 if energy stays central, pointing to major electricity and infrastructure initiatives. Governance Scrutiny: ILRAJ demands full disclosure on the Government Printing Department modernisation deal, questioning the legal basis and revenue-sharing terms. Capital Markets: The Sierra Leone stock market closed higher, with market capitalisation up and YTD returns rising, despite mixed breadth.
IMF Program Update: An IMF mission says Sierra Leone’s third review under the ECF is on track, citing a 2025 domestic primary surplus of 1.3% of GDP and progress stabilising the exchange rate and inflation, while warning revenue has weakened and spending pressures are rising. Debt & Markets: The Sierra Leone stock market closed higher, adding N99bn as buying interest persisted, even as market breadth stayed mixed. Jobs, Resilience & Fragility: VP Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh urged partners to prioritise resilience, stronger institutions and youth employment as global pressures mount on fragile economies. Clean Cooking Strategy: Sierra Leone convened stakeholders to familiarise the National Clean Cooking Strategy, targeting reduced firewood/charcoal use, deforestation and indoor air pollution. Trade & AfCFTA Services: The Trade Ministry held a workshop on AfCFTA trade-in-services regulatory reforms for finance, communications, tourism and business services. Governance & Transparency: ILRAJ demanded full disclosure on a Government Printing Department modernisation deal, questioning the legal basis and revenue-sharing terms. Sports Administration: SLFA clarified Leone Stars coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa’s pay narrative, saying the government covers salaries and logistics under a three-year mandate to qualify for AFCON 2027. Environment: NPAA launched Sierra Leone’s chapter of the Global Mangrove Alliance to protect and restore mangroves with stronger local stewardship. Political Parties: The PPRC published the Liberation People’s Party (LPP) constitution, rules and regulations for public review ahead of objections submissions.
Governance & Justice: Sierra Leone’s Parliament ratified the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed) convention and the UN Second Optional Protocol aimed at abolishing the death penalty, with the Attorney General saying mediation can cut dispute costs and create jobs for professional mediators. Public Procurement & Infrastructure: The National Public Procurement Authority and Sierra Leone Roads Authority jointly monitored feeder road works in western Freetown, checking site progress, material quality, specifications and timelines under the government’s feeder roads drive. Energy & Housing Finance: Sierra Leone’s Lands Minister met Shelter Afrique leadership in Rabat to push mortgage financing for low-income earners and student hostel development, alongside a new Country Planning Act 2025 to modernise zoning and development controls. Digital Education: The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education is exploring a partnership with China’s Legden Holdings (Lenovo) to bring AI, coding and robotics into classrooms. Clean Cooking Agenda: A national clean cooking strategy familiarisation workshop advanced plans to cut firewood/charcoal dependence using LPG, improved cookstoves, biogas and electricity. Legal Disclosure: ILRAJ demanded full disclosure on the Government Printing Department modernisation deal, including legal authority and unredacted financial terms. Sports Business: SLFA clarified Leone Stars coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa’s pay and contract, saying the government—not SLFA—handles salaries and match logistics.
Cybersecurity & Digital Sovereignty: ECOWAS cybersecurity hackathon in Accra brings teams from 12 countries, including Sierra Leone, to build practical defences against ransomware and business email scams, with organisers framing cyber capacity as a sovereignty issue. Telecom & Broadband: Nigeria’s NCC says operators have deployed 5,000+ new network sites and extended fibre to 700+ locations, while pushing fibre expansion as fixed broadband subscriptions rise—aimed at easing pressure on mobile networks. Football & Sports Governance: SLFA clarifies Leone Stars coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa’s pay and contract—three years to qualify for AFCON 2027—with salaries handled directly by government via the NSA and Ministry of Sports. Public Finance: Sierra Leone’s public debt stock closed 2025 at NLe 62.7bn, with projections to NLe 64.7bn by end-2026, driven by external borrowing and rising interest costs. Infrastructure & Housing: Parliament ratifies international mediation and death-penalty abolition instruments; meanwhile, government pushes affordable housing financing and student hostel plans, including Shelter Afrique discussions. Trade & Transport: NPPA and SLRA jointly monitor feeder road projects in western Freetown, checking quality, timelines and compliance to close implementation gaps. Security & Crime: EU urges stronger action on Sierra Leone over cocaine trafficking and extradition failures as regional drug routes keep shifting.
Public Finance: Sierra Leone’s public debt stock closed 2025 at NLe 62.7bn, with external debt still the bigger share, and projections point to further rise to NLe 64.7bn by end-2026. Affordable Housing & Student Accommodation: Government is pursuing financing support for mortgage and student hostel delivery, including a Shelter Afrique push for low-income homeownership and new hostel partnerships. Infrastructure & Connectivity: Liberia secured US$125m from the World Bank for energy, digital integration and road connectivity—an example of the region’s push to unlock growth through core services. Procurement & Roads: NPPA and SLRA jointly monitored feeder road projects in western Freetown, checking progress, material quality and compliance to improve accountability. Education Tech: MBSSE is exploring a partnership with a Chinese firm to bring AI, coding and robotics into schools. Digital Learning Finance: Sierra Leone’s deputy minister urged dedicated digital investment funds to scale skills and learning across Africa. Housing Law Reform: A new Country Planning Act 2025 is set to modernise zoning and empower local councils for safer, better-planned development. Debt & Governance Watch: Parliament ratified international mediation and death-penalty protocol instruments, reinforcing justice-sector reform. Drug Control: Tapentadol misuse linked to “kush” remains a major health alarm, with seizures and calls for stronger action.
Public Finance: Sierra Leone’s public debt stock closed 2025 at NLe 62.7bn (US$2.61bn), with external debt still the bigger share (NLe 42.9bn) and the debt-to-GDP ratio at 39.8%; the Ministry projects end-2026 debt rising to NLe 64.7bn as new external loans and domestic borrowing continue. Infrastructure & Investment: Liberia secured US$125m from the World Bank for energy, digital transformation and road connectivity—covering WARDIP 2, RESPITE and SECRAMP—highlighting how regional connectivity and power access are being financed. Trade & Business Environment: Freetown City Council signed an MoU with the Sierra Leone Police to enforce the #DortiMusGo waste management drive, requiring residents and businesses to use FCC-approved collectors and pay via approved mobile money channels. Energy & Skills: Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister urged dedicated digital investment funds at Ghana’s digital education round table, pushing financing for digital learning, TVET and workforce readiness. Events & Tourism: A new Lungi multi-purpose complex is nearing completion, including a 1,500-seat auditorium and five-star hotel, aiming to boost conference hosting and investment travel. Governance & Risk: EU lawmakers urged tougher action on Sierra Leone over cocaine trafficking and extradition failures, including possible suspension of development cooperation and a sanctions regime.
Ebola Preparedness & Public Health: Sierra Leone’s Ebola lessons are being revisited as reports from the DRC and Uganda raise fresh questions about travel checks and outbreak readiness, with renewed calls for strict safety protocols and faster detection. EU Sanctions & Drug Trafficking: APC’s Abdul Kargbo warns Sierra Leone could face EU action, including possible sanctions and aid suspension, over cocaine trafficking allegations and extradition failures. Waste Management & Enforcement: Freetown City Council and the Police sign an MoU to enforce the #DortiMusGo waste management push, requiring residents and businesses to use approved collectors and pay via official channels. Infrastructure Finance: Government secures US$125m World Bank financing for energy, digital integration and road connectivity, including solar power and regional corridor upgrades. Telecom Investment: Sierra Leone’s telecom sector attracts over $400m since 2021, with fibre backbone expansion and improved service quality. Agriculture & Border Surveillance: Agriculture receives equipment to strengthen border surveillance and disease diagnosis at key entry points, aiming to protect food security and trade. Housing Deal: MoU signed for affordable housing units for civil and public servants, with land and tax incentives and a push for quick legal approvals. Energy & Jobs: TVET reform talks focus on aligning skills training with labour market needs, including agribusiness-focused curriculum upgrades. Environment & Reforestation: Orange Sierra Leone and Tacugama plant 5,000 trees at the National Park for World Environment Day. Social Protection: NASSIT seeks stronger collaboration to extend social security to Sierra Leone’s large informal sector.
Waste & Enforcement: Freetown City Council and Sierra Leone Police signed an MoU to enforce the #DortiMusGo waste management drive, requiring residents and businesses to register with approved collectors and pay via approved channels, with illegal dumping and burning in drains and waterways prohibited. Skills & Jobs: The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education held talks on TVET reform, including plans to modernise curricula, strengthen industry links, and upgrade an agriculture institute into a Centre of Excellence. Infrastructure Finance: Government secured US$125m from the World Bank for energy, digital integration and road connectivity, covering WARDIP 2, RESPITE and SECRAMP. Public Health & Care: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Social Welfare received a UNFPA vehicle to expand obstetric fistula support to remote communities, while President Bio celebrated Mercy Ships’ extended partnership to sustain healthcare capacity. Housing for Workers: Sierra Leone and So Afri Loge signed an MoU in Dakar to build affordable housing for civil and public servants, moving toward a joint venture agreement. Trade & Border Security: Agriculture received equipment to strengthen border surveillance and disease diagnosis at key entry points, and telecom investment topped $400m since 2021. Governance & Oversight: Parliament launched an investigation into “Musa Dollar” Musa Koroma’s alleged illegal fees and contracts, and the National Investment Board is reviewing Sierra Leone Bar Association AGM postponement concerns. Energy & Rural Growth: Dr Kandeh Yumkella commissioned an Integrated Energy Centre in Fogbo Village to boost renewable power, entrepreneurship and connectivity.
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