Talks Begin on $210M IMF Climate Facility for Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone has taken another major step toward advancing its climate resilience and sustainable development agenda, as a high-level technical mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) commenced discussions in Freetown to unlock access to the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

The RSF is a relatively new IMF financing instrument aimed at helping countries address long-term structural challenges linked to climate change, resilience building, and sustainable growth. Sierra Leone’s request for RSF access is being prepared alongside the ongoing Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program. If approved, with access at 75% of quota, the country stands to benefit from approximately $210 million in concessional financing.

The reform program supported by the RSF will run for two years, concluding by the end of 2027, and will be monitored through four semi-annual reviews that coincide with ECF assessments. Each completed reform milestone will unlock proportional disbursements, ensuring accountability and continuity.

Chairing the opening session on Monday, 29th September 2025, Acting Minister of Finance, Kadiatu Allie, emphasized the importance of harmonizing timelines and reform content across institutions. She called on ministries and agencies to “work in lockstep to deliver measurable results that not only secure financing but also build long-term resilience for Sierra Leone’s economy and people.”

The discussions will clarify reform priorities and assign responsibilities to key implementing partners, including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, and the National Disaster Management Agency.

According to Sellu McCarthy, Head of the Climate Finance Unit at the Ministry of Finance, the reforms will focus on six priority areas:

Strengthening Climate Governance

Enhancing Infrastructure Resilience

Integrating Fiscal Planning with Climate Risks

Expanding Social Protection Systems

Improving Water Utility Sustainability

Upgrading Financial Sector Reporting on Climate Risks

World Bank representatives participating in the session welcomed the initiative but called for further technical discussions to ensure shared understanding, particularly on coordination and sequencing of reforms.

The RSF-backed reforms are expected to not only catalyze climate-smart investments but also deepen Sierra Leone’s credibility in mobilizing additional international climate finance.