Sierra Leone: Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Report

At the request of the Government of Sierra Leone, an inter-departmental IMF team conducted a Governance and Corruption Diagnostic (GCD). The GCD provides a detailed assessment of governance and corruption vulnerabilities in key state functions of fiscal governance, financial sector oversight, anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), and rule of law. Informed by political economy analysis, the diagnostic also considered the nature and severity of corruption in Sierra Leone and the effectiveness of anticorruption laws and institutions to address corruption risks. Key challenges, including institutional weaknesses, limited enforcement of the rule of law, and vulnerabilities in public procurement, have contributed to inefficiencies in the allocation of public resources and have, at times, undermined public trust in government. These practices constrain the fiscal space, limit the effectiveness of service delivery, discourage investment and limit the potential for private sector–led growth. The GCD offers actionable recommendations to strengthen accountability, transparency, and institutional capacity that are necessary for sustainable growth and restoring public trust in institutions.