Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh convened a high-level engagement with Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Co-Founder & Co-Chair of Future Perspectives, to advance collaborative efforts supporting Sierra Leone’s Big Five Game Changers development agenda. The meeting, held in Freetown, brought together senior government officials and development partners to discuss initiatives aimed at strengthening human capital, promoting sustainable growth, and implementing practical solutions aligned with national priorities.
The engagement was guided by directives from His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, who has consistently emphasized the importance of fostering strong partnerships to drive investment, coordinated action, and measurable development outcomes across key sectors. Chief Minister Sengeh noted that the dialogue was convened following presidential guidance for government-led consultations with development partners, highlighting the need to align initiatives with national strategies and data-driven priorities.
In his opening remarks, Chief Minister Sengeh outlined the objectives of the engagement, stressing that the discussions would focus on translating policy goals into actionable projects. “This meeting provides a platform to share data, outline objectives, and identify practical pathways to implement initiatives that advance Sierra Leone’s Big Five Game Changers agenda,” Dr. Sengeh said. He emphasized that government technical teams would work closely with ministries to develop project concepts, strengthen data systems, and ensure initiatives reflect national priorities.
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by the Government of Sierra Leone, commending the country’s vision for inclusive development. “Sierra Leone’s emphasis on human capital development reflects a strategic, long-term approach to national growth,” Prof. Osinbajo said. He noted that investments in people are critical for sustainable transformation, identifying healthcare, education, agriculture, and climate resilience as key pillars that will drive inclusive progress.
Highlighting the urgent need to address climate challenges, Prof. Osinbajo called for coordinated global and national responses, including innovative financing mechanisms to mitigate environmental impacts and strengthen resilience. He further emphasized that the collaboration between government and international partners could create models for sustainable development that other African nations might emulate.
The engagement included senior government officials responsible for key development sectors, including Minister of Planning and Economic Development Kenyeh Barlay, Minister of Health and Sanitation Austin H. Demby, Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie representing the Ministry of Finance, and Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security (PI-CREF). Participants discussed opportunities for joint projects, sectoral reforms, and policy interventions designed to maximize the impact of national and international investments.
Future Perspectives, the organization co-founded by Prof. Osinbajo, works globally to advance human capital development in emerging economies. Its mandate includes providing technical support, policy guidance, and partnership frameworks to strengthen education, health, agriculture, and climate resilience initiatives. The organization’s collaboration with Sierra Leone aims to promote sustainable and inclusive growth by ensuring development projects are effectively planned, monitored, and aligned with national strategies.
In closing remarks, Chief Minister Sengeh reaffirmed the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to deepening partnerships with international and local stakeholders to accelerate the Big Five Game Changers agenda. He noted that the meeting represented a pivotal step toward operationalizing strategic initiatives that will have lasting socio-economic impact.
The engagement underscores Sierra Leone’s ongoing efforts to strengthen governance, leverage partnerships, and prioritize people-centered development as a cornerstone of national transformation. Both parties expressed optimism that sustained collaboration will translate into tangible results for citizens across the country.