MoPED, INGOs Sign Landmark MoU to Boost Development Coordination
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) has taken a major step toward strengthening development coordination in Sierra Leone by signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) operating across the country.
The signing ceremony, held on Tuesday, 4th November 2025 at the MoPED Conference Hall, Tower Hill in Freetown, marked a renewed commitment by both the government and development partners to ensure greater accountability, transparency, and alignment of development activities with the government’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024–2030.
The MoU is the direct outcome of a three-day consultative meeting held from 10th 12th September 2025, during which all stakeholders
including MoPED officials, INGO representatives, and other development actors agreed on the need for a harmonized framework to guide their operations. The agreement is a jointly developed document, reflecting the collective voice and aspirations of all parties involved.
In her keynote address, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, commended the INGOs for their continued partnership and emphasized the importance of effective coordination to achieve national development goals. She noted that, in recent years, coordination among INGOs had become fragmented, resulting in duplication of efforts and reduced efficiency at the community level.
This MoU is not just a document it represents a new chapter in our development cooperation. We are strengthening collaboration, improving accountability, and ensuring that every project implemented in Sierra Leone speaks to our national priorities,” she said.
Minister Barlay also cautioned that all INGOs must adhere strictly to the provisions of the MoU. She announced that MoPED will closely monitor compliance through a performance tracker that will assess reporting timelines, program efficiency, and community impact. She further stated that INGO Country Directors must be represented at a senior level in coordination meetings and warned that defaulters will face sanctions for non-compliance.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s readiness to create an enabling environment for INGOs to operate effectively, emphasizing that development is a shared responsibility between the government, civil society, and international partners.
Government alone cannot deliver on all our development goals, and INGOs cannot do it alone either. What matters most is the impact of our collective efforts on the lives of ordinary Sierra Leoneans,” she stressed.
Earlier, Mr. Ambros James, Development Secretary at MoPED and Chairman of the ceremony, reiterated that MoPED remains the lead coordinating body for INGOs and development planning in Sierra Leone. He recalled past engagements with INGOs, including one chaired by the Vice President, where several operational challenges were identified. He urged partners to take full responsibility for improving efficiency and accountability in their operations.
Representing the INGOs, Mr. Patrick Okello, Board Chairman of the INGO Steering Committee and Country Director of GOAL, commended MoPED for its leadership and vision in strengthening coordination mechanisms. He assured the Ministry of the INGOs’ full commitment to transparency, data sharing, and inclusive participation at both district and regional levels.
This MoU reflects a spirit of partnership built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision for sustainable development. We are determined to deliver meaningful results for the people of Sierra Leone,” Mr. Okello noted.
The event also featured the reading of the MoU by the Director of NGO Affairs, Mr. Eric Massalay, followed by the official presentation of the document to SLANGO (Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organizations) by Minister Barlay.
In his closing remarks, Deputy Minister Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus Williams expressed appreciation to all partners for their dedication and reaffirmed MoPED’s commitment to deepening cooperation with development actors.
The well-attended ceremony brought together representatives from various INGOs, government ministries, local councils, and development partners
marking a new era of partnership, accountability, and coordinated action in Sierra Leone’s development landscape.
