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The World Bank recently concluded its Implementation Support Mission for the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP), highlighting significant progress toward transforming the country’s economic landscape. The mission, led by Task Team Leader Madam Alari Ijilayoh Mahdi, met with Sierra Leone’s Acting Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kadiatu Allie, on June 23, 2025, to present a comprehensive review of the project’s status and readiness for closure by October 2025.
The project has successfully addressed critical private sector constraints on multiple fronts. Business reforms at the economy-wide level have streamlined bureaucratic procedures, notably reducing the time to obtain construction permits from 182 days to a mere 14 days. At the sector level, tourism has seen remarkable growth, with arrivals doubling and key tourism infrastructure nearing completion to further boost visitor numbers.
Supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) has been another cornerstone of SLEDP, enabling firms to scale operations, increase productivity, and strengthen Sierra Leone’s broader business ecosystem. The project has directly and indirectly created over 14,000 jobs and mobilized upwards of US$600 million in private capital through the collateral registry, underscoring the vital role of financial sector reforms.
While the project has met all development objective indicators, the World Bank’s team emphasized the importance of sustaining these gains. Challenges remain around asset maintenance and waste management, which require ongoing commitment from the government and stakeholders.
Mrs. Kadiatu Allie praised the dedication of the project team and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing these challenges as the project approaches its conclusion. The collaboration between the World Bank and Sierra Leone demonstrates how targeted international support and coordinated reforms can yield substantial economic benefits.
As Sierra Leone prepares for the project’s closure, the lessons learned and successes achieved through SLEDP provide a blueprint for future initiatives aiming to foster sustainable economic growth in developing economies.
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