The Government of Sierra Leone is considering a new wave of commodity‑backed financing structures proposed by First Bank Group, a Paris‑based development finance institution seeking to accelerate the country’s long‑delayed infrastructure transformation.

The model—where future earnings from mineral resources and royalty flows are pledged as collateral—is being positioned as a pathway to unlock large‑scale capital for roads, electricity, industrial zones, and other strategic assets.

A high‑level delegation from the 131‑year‑old lender, comprising senior engineering executives and international directors, held a closed‑door meeting at State House in Freetown, chaired by President Julius Maada Bio.

Leading the delegation, Olusegun Alebiosu, Chief Executive Officer of First Bank Group, told the meeting that the institution is moving beyond traditional aid‑style financing toward innovative, blended structures capable of mobilising significant private and concessional capital. He highlighted the bank’s extensive track record in delivering infrastructure across Africa and explained how blended finance—the strategic combination of public funds, private investment, and concessional resources—can de‑risk major projects and attract long‑term investors.

Alebiosu also underscored the bank’s unique capacity to structure loans backed by future commodity revenues and mineral royalties, a mechanism increasingly used by resource‑rich countries to secure affordable financing for transformative development.

Finance Minister Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura welcomed the proposal, describing blended finance as the operational framework for Sierra Leone’s development agenda.He emphasised that Sierra Leone’s mineral wealth, agricultural potential, and emerging industrial base provide strong foundations for structuring sustainable financing aligned with long‑term national priorities.

President Bio linked the proposed financing directly to his administration’s “Big Five” priorities—agriculture, fisheries, mining, tourism, and manufacturing—stressing that inadequate infrastructure remains one of the country’s most binding constraints.

He directed government officials to develop concrete project pipelines and financing structures without delay, assuring the delegation of full state cooperation to create an enabling environment for implementation.“Infrastructure is the backbone of our economic transformation,” the President said, noting that unlocking capital for energy, transport, and industrial systems is essential for private‑sector expansion and national competitiveness. If adopted, the First Bank Group’s commodity‑backed financing model could mark a significant shift in how Sierra Leone funds major infrastructure—moving from fragmented, budget‑dependent projects to large‑scale, structured, and commercially viable investments.

The discussions signal growing momentum behind innovative financing as Sierra Leone seeks to close its infrastructure gap and position itself for sustained economic growth.