Sierra Leone : Bio Unveils ‘Year of Action’ Agenda, Pledges Faster Delivery, Jobs and National Renewal

By Ajong Mbapndah L

President Julius Maada Bio has declared that Sierra Leone is entering a decisive new phase of governance, shifting from policy formulation to measurable delivery as he opened the Fourth Session of the Sixth Parliament with a wide-ranging address that combined accountability, economic optimism, institutional reform and an ambitious roadmap for the year ahead. The address, delivered on August 7 at Parliament in Freetown, positioned what he called the “Year of Action and Accelerated Delivery” as a defining moment in his administration’s drive to translate reforms into tangible improvements in the daily lives of Sierra Leoneans.

Rather than presenting a ceremonial speech, President Bio used the occasion to challenge every Ministry, Department and Agency to deliver measurable results while reminding Parliament that public office exists to serve citizens, not institutions or political interests. He anchored the address around one central message: government will ultimately be judged not by speeches, plans or international recognition, but by whether ordinary Sierra Leoneans experience lower living costs, better services, greater opportunities and stronger institutions.

From the outset, Bio acknowledged the everyday concerns confronting citizens, describing the struggles of mothers stretching household incomes, farmers worrying about markets, graduates searching for employment and patients waiting for quality healthcare. These realities, he said, should remain the true measure of government performance and national policy.

“Public office is a sacred trust,” the President declared, insisting that every reform, investment and government programme must ultimately improve people’s lives.

Calling for National Unity Above Politics

One of the strongest political messages of the address centred on national cohesion and democratic maturity.

Welcoming opposition MPs back to Parliament, President Bio argued that Sierra Leone’s democracy requires both an effective government and a responsible opposition capable of holding government accountable while contributing constructively to national development. Quoting the Krio proverb, “Wan han nɔ de tai bɔndul” (“One hand cannot tie a bundle”), he urged cooperation between Parliament, the Executive, Judiciary and citizens in pursuit of national progress.

He later reinforced that appeal by referring to the government’s decision to discontinue legal proceedings against former President Ernest Bai Koroma, expressing hope that the move would ease political tensions and advance reconciliation.

Bio called on all political actors to embrace maturity, dialogue and national healing, stressing that lasting reconciliation must rest on the rule of law, institutional confidence and a shared commitment to Sierra Leone’s future.

Economy Showing Signs of Recovery

A substantial portion of the speech focused on the economy, where the President argued that Sierra Leone has weathered global shocks better than many expected despite conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East disrupting international trade and driving up food, fuel and transportation costs.

According to Bio, the economy recorded real GDP growth of 4.6 percent in 2024 and 4.8 percent in 2025 while inflation fell to its lowest level in nearly two decades before rebounding due to higher global oil prices.

He highlighted improved exchange-rate stability, stronger domestic revenue, reduced public debt, increased private-sector lending and continued support from the International Monetary Fund as evidence that economic stabilisation is taking hold.

Yet Bio acknowledged that macroeconomic gains alone are insufficient.

“Recovery must now enter daily life,” he said, emphasizing more affordable food, transport, electricity, employment opportunities and improved public services as the next benchmark of success.

Big Five Game Changers Drive Development Strategy

Central to the President’s address was the continued implementation of the government’s “Big Five Game Changers,” which he described as the practical framework for transforming Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan into measurable improvements across society.

The strategy focuses on:

• Feed Salone (Agriculture and Food Security)
• Human Capital Development
• Youth Employment
• Technology and Infrastructure
• Public Service Transformation

Bio argued that these priorities reinforce one another, linking food production, infrastructure, education, energy, healthcare and institutional efficiency into one integrated development agenda.

Feed Salone Showing Early Results

Food security featured prominently throughout the speech.

President Bio reported that rice self-sufficiency has risen from 68 percent in 2023 to 73 percent while reducing rice imports by more than US$18 million. Local agriculture, he said, is receiving increased investment through improved seeds, irrigation, mechanisation, insurance, rural infrastructure and agricultural financing.

He pointed to expanded onion production in Lungi, new improved crop varieties, increased cocoa, coffee and cashew exports and support for women- and youth-led agribusinesses as examples of the programme’s early impact.

School feeding programmes are now sourcing locally produced rice for approximately 270,000 pupils daily, creating both a reliable market for farmers and improved nutrition for schoolchildren.

The President nevertheless acknowledged that food insecurity remains a challenge despite improvements and pledged to accelerate investments in agricultural productivity.

Education, Healthcare and Human Capital

Bio reaffirmed that Sierra Leone’s greatest resource remains its people.

He outlined expanded investments in early childhood education, teacher training, school feeding and technical education while warning that examination malpractice threatens the country’s future workforce.

The government, he declared, will enforce tougher accountability against anyone facilitating exam fraud.

Healthcare achievements included significant reductions in maternal mortality, new specialist medical facilities, expanded immunisation programmes, CT scanners, dialysis services and strengthened water and sanitation initiatives.

The President argued that investments in education and healthcare must ultimately translate into dignity, opportunity and productive employment.

Youth Employment Under Greater Scrutiny

Youth employment remains one of the administration’s flagship commitments.

Bio disclosed that he has instructed government to publish verified employment figures, clearly identifying what constitutes a job, the sectors involved and the duration of employment.

The move appears designed to increase transparency around the government’s ambitious pledge to create 500,000 jobs within five years.

He stressed that businesses, financial institutions and civil society must become stronger partners in creating employment opportunities for Sierra Leone’s rapidly growing youth population.

Infrastructure Expansion Continues

The President devoted considerable attention to infrastructure, describing roads, energy and digital connectivity as the backbone of economic transformation.

He announced continued investments in broadband expansion, digital government services, artificial intelligence, electricity generation and renewable energy. Mission 300 alone aims to increase electricity access from 36 percent in 2024 to nearly 80 percent by 2030.

On transport infrastructure, Bio said government has paved more than 474 kilometres of roads since 2018, rehabilitated or built 23 bridges and initiated 26 major road projects aimed at lowering transport costs and connecting communities to markets, schools and healthcare.

Oil, Gas and Mining: New Investment Opportunities

One of the speech’s strongest investment messages came in the energy and extractives sector.

President Bio said Sierra Leone is approaching what could become a transformative chapter in offshore petroleum exploration following renewed international interest from global energy companies Eni and Shell.

He also announced the conclusion of negotiations with Marginal Energy Limited involving a proposed US$225 million investment over seven years, subject to parliamentary approval.

The President further highlighted Sierra Leone’s participation in the proposed African Atlantic Gas Pipeline linking Nigeria and Morocco, describing it as a major regional infrastructure initiative capable of strengthening investment, regional integration and energy security.

In mining, Bio reported mineral exports exceeding US$1.3 billion in 2025 while emphasizing diversification, greater transparency, local value addition and stronger participation by Sierra Leonean professionals and women in the industry.

Governance and Accountability

Institutional reform featured prominently throughout the address.

Bio announced continued efforts to strengthen anti-corruption measures, public financial management, procurement oversight and digital government services while insisting that no public official should be above scrutiny.

He pledged that performance across ministries would increasingly be measured publicly, with progress published, delays explained and failures corrected.

“Every Leone protected from waste or theft can serve a classroom, clinic, road or community,” he declared.

Sierra Leone’s Growing International Profile

The President also reflected on Sierra Leone’s expanding diplomatic influence following his tenure as ECOWAS Chairman.

He described the successful hosting of the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Lungi as evidence of Sierra Leone’s growing stature within West Africa.

Bio said the newly commissioned Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre and ECOWAS Logistics Depot would continue supporting diplomacy, regional integration and investment while announcing that the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit later this year will bring investors back to Sierra Leone.

Delivery Will Define Success

Perhaps the clearest message of the address came in its closing sections.

President Bio acknowledged that families continue to struggle with high living costs, unemployment and service delivery challenges despite the progress already achieved.

He promised that before Parliament reconvenes next year, government intends to increase food production, expand electricity and clean water access, complete priority roads and bridges, improve healthcare and education, strengthen youth employment and modernise public service delivery.

Performance, he emphasized, will no longer be measured simply by announcements.

“Every Ministry, Department and Agency will be held to clear, measurable targets, judged by delivery, discipline, transparency and value for money.”

Ending on a note of unity, the President urged Sierra Leoneans to place country above tribe, religion, region and political party as they work together to transform the nation’s considerable potential into lasting prosperity.