AYV News, February 25, 2026
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has intensified its call for stricter enforcement of mandatory asset declarations for senior public officials in Sierra Leone, warning that weak compliance could undermine broader governance reforms.
In its Country Report No. 26/40, assessing the country’s performance under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme, the IMF highlighted asset declaration as a key test of the government’s commitment to transparency and anti-corruption measures. The report draws from findings in the recently completed Governance and Corruption Diagnostic (GCD).
While acknowledging progress in public financial management and accountability reforms, the IMF noted that enforcement gaps remain a major concern. It stressed that asset declaration regimes must include effective verification systems, consistent monitoring, and a level of public disclosure to ensure credibility and deterrence.
According to the Fund, simply filing declaration forms is insufficient. Robust oversight mechanisms, it argued, are essential to reducing corruption risks and strengthening public trust in state institutions.
The IMF further linked compliance with asset declaration requirements to improved investor confidence, suggesting that credible governance reforms are vital for sustaining international support and long-term economic stability.
The recommendation forms part of a wider reform agenda aimed at aligning fiscal discipline with structural governance improvements, ensuring that external financial assistance contributes to institutional strengthening and sustainable national development.
