The newly appointed Country Manager of the African Development Bank Group for Sierra Leone, Andoh Obed Mensah, presented his Letters of Credence to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Francess Piagie Alghali, at a ceremony held on 22 March in Freetown.

Welcoming the new Country Manager, Deputy Minister Alghali underscored the strong, longstanding partnership between Sierra Leone and the African Development Bank Group. She highlighted the Bank's significant contributions to key sectors, including agriculture, transport, energy, and water and sanitation. He said the Bank's support aligns with the country's priorities under its Medium-Term National Development Plan and expressed confidence that Mensah's appointment would further deepen cooperation between the two parties.

The African Development Bank Group remains a key development partner for Sierra Leone, with 89 approved operations, and total commitments of $1.36 billion. The African Development Fund, the Bank Group's concessional lending window, accounts for the largest share of this portfolio at $769 million. Additional financing includes $42.6 million from the Bank's public sector window, $33 million in non-sovereign investments, and $549.9 million mobilised through trust funds and other Bank-administered financing instruments.

The Bank's portfolio spans critical sectors including water and sanitation, agriculture, energy, transport, governance, health, and education. Its interventions have improved access to clean water and strengthened urban resilience in Freetown, bolstered food security and agricultural value chains nationwide, expanded rural electrification, supported public finance management reforms, and enhanced regional connectivity through Mano River Union transport corridors.

Mensah expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and reaffirmed the Bank Group's commitment to supporting Sierra Leone's development aspirations.

"It is an honour to serve as Country Manager for Sierra Leone, a country with strong economic potential. The Bank remains fully committed to supporting Sierra Leone's economic transformation, particularly through strengthened policy dialogue, accelerated project implementation, and enhanced private sector development," Mensah said.

The African Development Bank Group will continue to work closely with the Government of Sierra Leone and national stakeholders to deliver sustainable development outcomes and maximise the impact of its operations for the benefit of the nation.