By Prince Jacob Macauley

The Minister of Finance, Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, delivered a public lecture at the Multi-Purpose Hall of Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, on Thursday 15 January 2026, taking the national budget conversation out of closed policy spaces and into the heart of public learning. In what many described as a defining moment of transparency and civic engagement, the Finance Minister brought Sierra Leone’s economic story closer to the people, especially the young minds who will shape the nation’s future, offering a message that was both instructive and inspiring, and positioning the budget not as a distant Government document but as a living national framework that touches every household, business and institution.

Basing his lecture on the theme: “Sierra Leone’s Budget and the State of the Economy,” Sheku Fantamadi Bangura meaningfully blended governance and academic dialogue, using the platform to explain the policy direction of Government while providing a clearer picture of the country’s economic realities, challenges and fiscal plans. He told the gathering that Sierra Leone’s progress must be measured not only by ambition, but by discipline, credible planning and decisions that respond to the country’s needs in real time.

Throughout his presentation, Sheku Fantamadi Bangura highlighted key drivers behind the country’s recent economic growth and relative macroeconomic stability, pointing to what he described as strong economic fundamentals and deliberate policy choices guiding Government action. He noted that while the global economy remains uncertain and pressures continue to affect developing nations, Sierra Leone must remain focused on reforms and strategic priorities that strengthen national resilience and protect long-term development gains.

He reminded the audience that sound economic planning must be grounded in historical evidence while remaining sensitive to the demands of the present. According to him, decisions on budget priorities and national reforms must draw from lessons of the past and respond intelligently to current conditions, enabling Government to craft policies that are realistic, sustainable and forward-looking. He stressed that without a clear understanding of where the nation is coming from and where it currently stands, development planning becomes uncertain and vulnerable to failure.

Describing the national budget as “the heartbeat of the country,” Sheku Fantamadi Bangura underscored its vital role in driving development, ensuring the efficient allocation of limited resources and converting Government commitments into real benefits for ordinary Sierra Leoneans. He said the budget must be understood not simply as a financial document produced for Government institutions, but as a national instrument that shapes livelihoods, strengthens service delivery, guides economic performance and determines the pace of national progress.

The Finance Minister challenged students and young professionals to take serious interest in fiscal policy and public finance, noting that a society that does not understand its budget cannot properly monitor its governance. He maintained that critical engagement with budget processes is essential for accountability, transparency and sustainable development, adding that citizens must be informed enough to interpret Government priorities, ask responsible questions and contribute meaningfully to national dialogue on economic transformation.

In what University officials and students described as a historic first, Sheku Fantamadi Bangura also used the lecture to explain the priorities and strategic direction of the 2026 National Budget, recently tabled before Cabinet and Parliament.

He broke down the reasoning behind major budget decisions and emphasized the need for fiscal discipline, inclusive growth and development planning that creates wider opportunities for citizens. According to him, the engagement was deliberate because governance should be participatory and open, particularly for young people who are preparing to become future economists, policymakers, entrepreneurs and national leaders. He stressed that a nation’s development cannot be achieved through government action alone, but must be supported by an informed and engaged population.

The lecture attracted a wide audience and drew attention from key institutions and stakeholders across governance, education and economic management, reinforcing the importance of national dialogue on fiscal policy and economic transformation. Those present included students, academics, senior staff of the Department of Accounting and Finance, the Deputy Minister of Education, and a number of the Minister’s former lecturers, giving the event both symbolic and intellectual weight within the university community.

The highlight of the lecture was a lively question and answer session which formed the climax of the public engagement, as students and academics engaged the Finance Minister directly on a range of pressing issues, including revenue generation, expenditure priorities, economic stability and prospects for future growth. Many participants described the session as both educational and empowering, and expressed hope that such direct interactions between policymakers and the public would continue as Sierra Leone strengthens its path toward transparency, accountable governance and inclusive development.

Observers said the lecture was well structured, clearly articulated and analytically rigorous, reflecting Sheku Fantamadi Bangura’s strong grasp of Sierra Leone’s economic landscape and his ability to communicate complex fiscal issues in simple but powerful terms.

Many in attendance said the engagement marked what could be the first time in Sierra Leone’s history that a sitting Finance Minister had taken the national budget directly to the public through a university platform, describing it as a significant move toward bridging the gap between national policy-making and citizen understanding.

  https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/finance-minister-unpacks-sierra-leones-2026-budget-and-state-of-the-economy-in-fbc-public-lecture/