By Ibrahim Sesay

The Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, has announced the commencement of Sierra Leone’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Preparation Process, outlining a series of policy hearings and bilateral discussions aimed at shaping Government revenue and expenditure priorities for the coming financial year.

According to a public notice issued by the Ministry of Finance on Friday, September 11, 2026, the process will begin with National Policy Hearings on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the Miatta Civic Centre, Youyi Building in Freetown.

The National Policy Hearing will serve as the curtain-raiser for the FY2027 budget preparation process, bringing together Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Local Councils to discuss and review sectoral policies contained in the Medium-Term National Development Plan.

The Ministry stated that attendance at the policy hearing will be restricted to Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Professional Heads, Vote Controllers and two Budget Committee members from the respective institutions.

Following the policy hearing, Bilateral Budget Discussions for all MDAs will take place from September 21 to October 3, 2026, between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily at the Miatta Civic Centre Rooms.

The bilateral discussions are expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to examine and agree on policies that will guide revenue generation and the allocation of public resources to various MDAs in the FY2027 budget.

Government institutions have consequently been advised to prepare detailed strategic plans containing realistic and achievable programmes designed to support key Government priorities and the Medium-Term National Development Plan.

The Ministry further directed all Vote Controllers to submit 50 copies of their strategic plans and budget proposals to the Budget Bureau of the Ministry of Finance at least two days before their respective scheduled bilateral discussions.

All presentations during the bilateral discussions are required to be prepared and delivered using Microsoft PowerPoint.

Beyond Government institutions, the Ministry has invited representatives of Development Partners, Non-Governmental Organisations, District Budget Oversight Committees, Government Accountability and Civil Society Organisations and other Non-State Actors to participate in the consultative meetings.

Their participation is expected to broaden engagement in the budget preparation process and provide stakeholders with opportunities to contribute to discussions on national priorities, revenue generation and public expenditure.

The FY2027 budget preparation exercise represents an important stage in determining how Government resources will be mobilised and allocated across sectors, while ensuring that the priorities of MDAs are aligned with the country’s broader development agenda.

The Ministry of Finance has called for the cooperation of all institutions and stakeholders to ensure the successful conduct of the process ahead of the preparation and presentation of the FY2027 national budget.

 

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