On 16th November 2022, a delegation from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Finance, Dennis K. Vandi, and his team at the Ministry of Finance, George Street in Freetown.
This visit is part of a five-day working visit to Sierra Leone to review ongoing projects and discuss pipeline projects with the Government.
Making his statement, the Country Manager of the Islamic Development Bank, Omar Davies expressed delight to meet with the Minister of Finance and team.
He stated that the focus of the team’s visit is to close on the completed projects the Bank is funding and also explore the opportunities for further support to Sierra Leone, especially in the areas of private sector development, health care, and infrastructure.
He acknowledged the current debt situation in the country and intimated that the Bank is willing to increase its concessional financing to the Government of Sierra Leone.
Minister of Finance, Dennis K. Vandi welcomed the team to Freetown and indicated that the government has been looking forward to such an engagement.
He acknowledged the Bank’s intervention in key sectors and emphasized the need to scale up investment in road infrastructure.
Hon. Minister also welcomed the idea of funding a private hospital project.
He closed with a request to the Bank to consider the Trade Financing Proposal to finance the importation of essential commodities like fuel and foodstuff.
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) projects portfolio currently stands at about US$ 169,375,000 covering 10 projects in Agriculture, Road-Infrastructure and Health.