Gov’t Prioritizes Focus On Strategic Spending

The Government of Sierra Leone has commenced preparations for the 2027 Fiscal Year Budget, with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development setting out a structured timetable for policy hearings and budget discussions aimed at ensuring that public resources are aligned with national development priorities.

The FY2027 budget preparation process is expected to provide Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Local Councils and other stakeholders with an opportunity to assess their priorities, programmes and resource requirements ahead of the formulation of the national budget.

According to a public notice issued by the Ministry of Finance on Friday, September 11, 2026, the process will formally begin with National Policy Hearings on Wednesday, September 16, at 9:00 a.m. at the Miatta Civic Centre, Youyi Building in Freetown.

The policy hearings are expected to bring together senior Government officials to review sectoral policies and programmes within the framework of the Medium-Term National Development Plan. The discussions will help Government assess proposed priorities before detailed financial allocations are considered.

Attendance at the National Policy Hearing has been restricted to Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Professional Heads, Vote Controllers and two members of the Budget Committee from each participating institution.

The policy hearing will be followed by Bilateral Budget Discussions for MDAs, scheduled for September 21 to October 3, 2026. The discussions will be held daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in rooms at the Miatta Civic Centre.

The bilateral sessions are expected to constitute a key stage in the budget formulation process, allowing the Ministry of Finance and individual Government institutions to scrutinise proposed programmes, projected revenues, expenditure requirements and policy priorities.

Through these discussions, Government is expected to determine which programmes can be realistically financed while ensuring that limited public resources are directed towards areas with the greatest potential impact on national development.

The Ministry of Finance has therefore instructed Government institutions to prepare detailed strategic plans outlining realistic and achievable programmes that directly support Government’s priorities and the objectives of the Medium-Term National Development Plan.

The directive places emphasis on the need for MDAs to move beyond broad proposals and present clearly defined programmes that can be implemented within available fiscal space.

Vote Controllers have also been directed to submit 50 copies of their strategic plans and budget proposals to the Budget Bureau of the Ministry of Finance at least two days before their scheduled bilateral discussions.

The advance submission of the documents is expected to give budget officials adequate time to examine the proposals and facilitate more informed discussions during the bilateral sessions.

In addition, all presentations for the bilateral discussions must be prepared and delivered using Microsoft PowerPoint, according to the Ministry’s notice.

The FY2027 budget process will also involve stakeholders outside central Government. Representatives of Development Partners, Non-Governmental Organisations, District Budget Oversight Committees, Government Accountability and Civil Society Organisations, as well as other Non-State Actors, have been invited to participate in the consultative meetings.

Their involvement is expected to strengthen stakeholder participation in the formulation of the national budget by creating opportunities for citizens and development actors to contribute to discussions on Government priorities, revenue mobilisation and public expenditure.

The inclusion of civil society and other non-State actors also provides an avenue for broader scrutiny of proposed Government programmes and spending priorities, particularly in sectors with significant implications for public welfare and development.

For Sierra Leone, the budget preparation process comes at a critical stage as Government seeks to balance development ambitions with the need for responsible management of public finances.

The formulation of the FY2027 budget will require Government institutions to demonstrate how their proposed programmes contribute to national priorities while taking into account the country’s available revenue and broader fiscal constraints.

The process is therefore expected to place significant emphasis on prioritisation, efficiency and accountability in the use of public funds.

The Ministry of Finance has called on all participating institutions and stakeholders to cooperate fully with the budget preparation process to ensure that the required consultations, submissions and bilateral discussions are conducted successfully.

The outcome of the exercise will ultimately contribute to the preparation of Sierra Leone’s FY2027 national budget, which will determine the Government’s revenue and expenditure priorities for the coming financial year.