In a bold move reflecting its growing ambitions, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) has submitted a proposed FY2026 budget of NLE 92.2 million, exceeding its government-approved ceiling of SLE 81 million by more than NLE 11 million.
Unveiled during a high-level budget hearing at the Ministry of Finance, the proposal sets the tone for a transformative year in governance, transparency, and civic participation.
Speaking at the session, Emmanuel Turay, Director of Communications at MoICE, justified the request, stating that every leone proposed is targeted at empowering citizens and strengthening public trust.
“This budget is not just about numbers; it’s about transforming Sierra Leone into a nation where citizens are well-informed, engaged, and active participants in shaping their future,” Turay explained. “Our strategic allocations will support the government’s Big 5 Agenda and ensure that our policies and initiatives reach every corner of the country.”
The proposed allocations reveal a strong focus on policy development, civic education, institutional capacity building, and media support:
Office of the Permanent Secretary – NLE 18.3M
Office of the Chief Director – NLE 2.35M
Government Information Services – NLE 9.42M
Planning, Research, Monitoring & Evaluation – NLE 3.88M
Civic Education and Engagements – NLE 20.1M
Records and Archives – NLE 5.01M
Daily Mail Newspaper – NLE 3.61M
Sierra Leone News Agency (SLENA) – NLE 17.5M
Outreach and Coordination – NLE 12.05M
Each unit’s mandate aligns with broader national development priorities, including media independence, public information access, records management, and nationwide civic engagement.
While the budget exceeds the ceiling, MoICE pointed to diversified revenue-generation strategies:
International Media Accreditation Processing Fees
Grants and Development Partner Support
SLBC Revenue via Advertising, Sponsored Programming, and Public Notices
SLENA Income from MDAs, Private Sector Engagements, and Corporate Sponsorships
According to Turay, these streams are part of MoICE’s push toward financial sustainability and reduced dependency on government subvention.
“We work closely with development partners and media entities to generate our own funds and deliver value,” he said. “This isn’t just a spend request—it’s an investment in Sierra Leone’s democratic resilience.”
MoICE highlighted key 2025 accomplishments that provide momentum for its 2026 goals, including:
Finalization and enactment of the National Information Policy, Film Policy, Data Protection Bill, and Civic Education Policy
Cabinet approval of the National Archives and Records Management Policy
Partnerships with international organizations like UNDP, UNESCO, and the Ban Ki-moon Foundation to enhance civic education programs
Turay outlined several priority deliverables:
Deepening public awareness of government programs and the Big 5 Agenda by 2028
Upgrading information systems and strengthening media coordination
Boosting civic education and democratic participation
Building a national framework for archives and records management
Enhancing data-driven policy implementation via research and M&E support
Turay concluded with a message to the public and development stakeholders:
“We invite civil society, media houses, and every Sierra Leonean to support our mission. Transparency, civic pride, and national unity must drive our collective progress.”
The Ministry’s budget now moves to parliamentary review, where lawmakers will debate the proposed figures and weigh them against national fiscal priorities. With an overage of NLE 11.2 million, its approval may hinge on the perceived return on investment in terms of governance, public trust, and democratic development.