Finance Minister Mr Karefa-Kargbo on Thursday met with World Bank Vice President for Western and Central Africa, Ousmane Diagana, in Freetown for talks centered on shifting the Bank’s partnership toward measurable outcomes.
The meeting focused on the performance of ongoing World Bank-financed projects in Sierra Leone, including energy, agriculture, health, and public financial management.
Mr. Diagana said the institution is moving away from assessing support by the volume of money released.
“The Bank’s support should be judged by results, not merely funds disbursed,” Mr. Diagana told Minister Karefa-Kargbo. “Our citizens, and your citizens, deserve to see tangible improvements in service delivery, jobs, and resilience.”
Minister Karefa-Kargbo welcomed the emphasis on results and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency, procurement reform, and faster project implementation. He noted that Sierra Leone is prioritizing projects that directly impact livelihoods, particularly in rural areas and among youth.
“The government appreciates the World Bank’s partnership,” the Minister said. “What matters now is how quickly these investments translate into electricity, food security, better clinics, and classrooms.”
According to officials present, both sides reviewed the current portfolio and identified bottlenecks in procurement, counterpart funding, and monitoring. The World Bank team urged stronger coordination between line ministries and the Ministry of Finance to accelerate delivery.
Mr. Diagana reiterated that future financing decisions will place greater weight on evidence of impact, including project completion rates, beneficiary data, and fiscal discipline.
The World Bank currently supports more than a dozen active projects in Sierra Leone valued at several hundred million dollars, covering infrastructure, human capital, and climate adaptation.
The meeting comes as the government prepares its 2027 budget and seeks additional concessional financing to support macroeconomic stability and growth.
Both officials agreed to establish a joint results-tracking framework to be reviewed quarterly.