Dr. Ibrahim Stevens, who is currently Acting Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, a position he has held since March 2023, was first appointed Deputy Governor in July 2014 and was reappointed to a second five-year term in 2019. Following the enactment of the Bank of Sierra Leone Act 2019, Dr. Stevens became First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, responsible for Monetary Stability.
In his current role at the Bank of Sierra Leone, Dr Stevens has led several reforms at the BSL, including the modernization of the conduct of monetary policy and implementation, policy development for financial system stability, cash currency management, financial inclusion, digital financial services, and payments system architecture, among others. He was pivotal in establishing the BSL Fintech Challenge and Sandbox development, which was one of the first in the sub region and had received much international acclaim.
Dr. Stevens is a true luminary in the world of finance, and his appointment to this position is a testament to his outstanding qualifications and unwavering commitment to excellence. Dr. Stevens brings with him a remarkable array of qualities and accomplishments that make him exceptionally suited for the role of Acting Bank Governor. His expertise in finance is unparalleled, and he has consistently demonstrated a profound understanding of the complexities and nuances of the financial industry.
Prior to his appointment at the Bank of Sierra Leone, he was Country Programme Director at the International Growth Centre (IGC), London School of Economics. Before joining the IGC, he was Macroeconomic Adviser to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Rwanda, and Head of Project for the German International Cooperation (GIZ)-funded project on Macroeconomic Advice to Rwanda. The project also covered the Central Bank of Rwanda. Before moving to Rwanda, he was a Senior Economist at the Bank of England and had worked for the Bank for ten years (2002 – 2012). At the Bank, he worked in Financial Stability, Monetary Analysis and was a Senior Adviser at the Bank’s Centre for Central Banking Studies (CCBS). In Monetary Analysis, he was part of the team that conducted the initial assessment of the effectiveness of quantitative easing (QE), an unconventional monetary policy adopted by the Bank of England in 2009. That work also involved research on the theoretical and empirical framework for QE.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Stevens has exhibited exceptional leadership, vision, and a steadfast dedication to the principles of sound financial governance. His deep insights and astute decision-making have played a pivotal role in navigating our institution through periods of both stability and change, and we have full confidence that he will continue to lead with the same level of expertise and commitment.
As Acting Bank Governor, Dr. Stevens assumes a position of great responsibility, overseeing the financial well-being and future prospects of the Bank of Sierra Leone. We have every reason to believe that, under his stewardship, our bank will continue to flourish and prosper. His strategic thinking, innovative solutions, and unwavering commitment to the highest ethical standards are qualities that inspire confidence and trust.
Dr. Ibrahim Stevens is not merely an Acting Bank Governor; he is a visionary leader, a mentor, and a beacon of excellence in the financial world. We are truly fortunate to have him at the helm of our Central Bank, and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact of his leadership as he guides our bank into an era of prosperity and continued success.