The Ministry of Finance in Sierra Leone has announced a nationwide series of bilateral budget discussions with local councils as part of preparations for the Fiscal Year 2027–2029 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) budgets. According to a public notice issued by the Ministry, the discussions will take place from Monday, October 5, to Thursday, October 8, 2026. The meetings will be held at the administrative halls of the respective local councils and will commence at 9:30 a.m. each day.
The four-day schedule will bring together councils from across the country. On Monday, October 5, councils including Pujehun District, Kailahun District, Kono District, Falaba District Council, Karene District Council, Kambia District Council, and Bonthe Municipal will engage in discussions. These meetings aim to form part of the Ministry’s engagement with local councils on their proposed budgets and expenditure priorities for the 2027–2029 medium-term planning period.
On Tuesday, October 6, the discussions will involve councils such as Bo District, Kenema District, Koidu New Sembehun City, Makeni City, Port Loko District, and Bonthe District. This engagement is crucial as it allows for a review of the local councils' budget proposals to ensure they align with national priorities and fiscal policies.
Wednesday, October 7, will see Bo City, Kenema City, Bombali District, Koinadugu District, Tonkolili District, Port Loko City, and Moyamba District participating in the discussions. The Ministry of Finance is expected to provide guidance on budgetary allocations and fiscal management to the local councils during these meetings.
On Thursday, October 8, Freetown City and Western Area Rural District will conclude the series of discussions. These bilateral meetings are part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Finance to ensure that local councils are well-prepared to manage their budgets effectively in the medium term.
The discussions are expected to form part of the Ministry’s engagement with local councils on their proposed budgets and expenditure priorities for the 2027–2029 medium-term planning period. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to enhancing fiscal planning and management at the local level.
Overall, the Ministry of Finance's initiative to engage with local councils is seen as a step towards improving budget planning and implementation across Sierra Leone. By ensuring that local councils are involved in the budget-making process, the government aims to promote transparency and accountability in fiscal management.
Key points
- The Ministry of Finance will hold budget discussions with local councils from October 5 to 8, 2026.
- The discussions will cover proposed budgets and expenditure priorities for the 2027–2029 medium-term planning period.
- A total of 14 councils will participate in the discussions over the four-day period.
