UN Agencies Weekly Highlights - 27th October- 31st October 2025

RCO

3rd DEPAC meeting explores opportunities for raising capital investment for Sierra Leone.

The third Development Partnership Committee (DEPAC) meeting for 2025 brought together the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, the United Nations, the World Bank, Ambassadors, and key development partners to discuss “Opportunities for Raising Capital Investment – Lessons from Seville (FFD4)”.

The meeting, co-chaired by UN Resident Coordinator Seraphine Wakana, Minister of Finance Mr. Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, and Minister of Planning and Economic Development Ms Kenyeh Barlay, provided a strategic platform for dialogue on innovative financing, domestic resource mobilisation, and data-driven planning aligned with Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024–2030. In her remarks, the Resident Coordinator emphasised the importance of evidence-based decision-making, stronger partnerships, and effective monitoring to ensure resources are used transparently and efficiently. The Minister of Finance highlighted progress in expanding electricity access, reducing severe food insecurity from 28% in 2023 to 16% in 2025, and projected economic growth of 4.4% driven by mining, agriculture, and services.

Ms. Kenyeh Barlay reflected on post-Seville recommendations and ongoing government efforts to attract sustainable investment and strengthen coordination mechanisms. Partners also discussed strategies to address cross-cutting challenges such as youth unemployment and the growing “Kush” epidemic, which threatens recent development gains. The meeting reaffirmed collective commitment to mobilising capital, strengthening governance, and accelerating implementation of the MTNDP for the benefit of all Sierra Leoneans.

UN Women

UN Women, RSLAF and Elsie Initiative Fund launch all-female drivers training for 75 military officers.

UN Women, in partnership with the Elsie Initiative Fund and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), has launched an all-female military drivers training programme for 75 RSLAF personnel. The ceremony took place at the Triple Canopy, Murray Town Barracks in Freetown marking the largest female driver capacity-building initiative in the history of the Armed Forces.

Commanding Officer of the Transport Regiment, Lt. Col. Saio Marrah, welcomed guests and highlighted the importance of expanding women’s roles in operational mobility within RSLAF. Head of UN Women Sierra Leone, Madam Setcheme Mongbo, praised the initiative as essential for strengthening women’s eligibility for peacekeeping deployment: “Imagine being on the battlefield without the skills that could save your own life or the lives of those you are deployed to protect. These 75 officers are not just learning to drive; they are preparing to save lives.”

UN Resident Coordinator, Madam Seraphine Wakana, described the programme as a major step toward breaking systemic barriers against women in uniform: “You are not just learning to drive you are driving change.” Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. A. I. Bangura, officially launched the programme, noting: “Competence and courage distinguish no gender. Today, you are steering the RSLAF toward a more modern and inclusive future.” Affairs, A representative of the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Bamie Sesay, reaffirmed government’s commitment to implementing the GEWE Act and increasing women’s participation in national security and peacekeeping roles. The event concluded with military demonstrations, a group photo session, and interactions with the pioneering trainees, who will undergo a 15-week intensive driving and operational training programme.

UNFPA

UNFPA, MBSSE, and the Embassy of Ireland celebrate girls returning to school in Kambia.

On 24 October 2025, UNFPA Sierra Leone, in partnership with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and the Embassy of Ireland, joined the people of Kambia District to celebrate the reintegration of 70 girls into formal education under the Government’s National Policy on Radical Inclusion in Schools.

The girls are part of 625 in Kambia District and 2,500 across four districts (Kambia, Koinadugu, Moyamba, and Pujehun) reintegrated this year through the PROTECT Project, which supports girls who dropped out due to adolescent pregnancy, early marriage, disability, gender-based violence, or poverty. Since 2022, over 10,000 girls nationwide have benefited. UNFPA Representative Kunle Adeniyi praised the government’s efforts: “I must commend the Government of Sierra Leone for its forward thinking National Policy on Radical Inclusion in sustainable development.” Schools, which champions education for all, especially marginalised girls. Education that includes every child is the foundation of Minister Conrad Sackey emphasised the importance of partnerships: “As we witness these 625 courageous girls return to school, let their journey signal to every parent and community leader that the education of a girl is the most profound investment we can make. The future starts in our classrooms, and it starts with us.

Carol Hannon, Head of Development at the Embassy of Ireland, encouraged the girls: “You have been very brave in deciding to return to school. I hope you continue with that bravery to reach your full potential.” “Education is important to me because it allows me to improve the lives of my family and community. Thank you MBSSE, UNFPA, and the Embassy of Ireland for making this possible. I’m so excited to be back in school.” With over half a million children out of school in Sierra Leone, more than half of them girls, initiatives like the Radical Inclusion Policy and PROTECT Project are key to creating a fairer, more inclusive education system.

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