By Kadiatu Sankoh
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), on Thursday, 8 October 2026, convened a National Conference on Sustainable Funding for the Public Broadcaster in Sierra Leone, aimed at finding a sustainable financing model for the national broadcaster.
Held under the theme “Ring-Fencing Funding for the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation,” the conference brought together stakeholders to discuss SLBC’s financial sustainability, public-service mandate, infrastructure needs and digital transformation.
Delivering the keynote address, Information and Civic Education Minister, Chenor Bah, said SLBC cannot deliver the national broadcasting service Sierra Leone needs without predictable, sufficient and sustainable funding.
He highlighted the Corporation’s aging infrastructure and the country’s transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, which he said could require an investment of at least US$50 million.
SLBC Director-General, Josephine Kamara, disclosed that the Corporation generated approximately Le6.3 billion in its own receipts in 2025, while receiving about Le4 billion in government transfers.
She said the rise of social media has also weakened traditional revenue sources such as advertising and obituaries, making it increasingly difficult for SLBC to depend on commercial income alone.
The conference is therefore expected to shape discussions on ring-fenced and predictable funding to enable SLBC to strengthen its public-service mandate, modernise its infrastructure and complete its digital broadcasting transition.