PIMD website information
Background to the Establishment of the Public Investment Management Directorate (PIMD).
In 2013, the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) initiated a strategic move to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public investments by establishing the Public Investment Management Unit (PIMU) at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED). This significant development marked a pivotal step in strengthening public financial management in the country, particularly in the areas of project design, selection, and appraisal criteria. Mr. Alpha K. Bangura was appointed as the director of the PIMU, a role that highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring better coordination, promoting synergies across sectors, and optimizing the use of public resources. The establishment of the PIMU was part of the World Bank’s Recommendation and the government’s broader reform to improve capital expenditure management. The goal was to ensure that public funds were allocated to high-impact projects capable of delivering maximum returns (value for money) and contributing to sustainable national development.
This policy reform addressed the challenges surrounding the efficiency of capital expenditures and sought to enhance transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. The Public Investment Program (PIP) was introduced as a key instrument under this policy designed to tackle the persistent challenges in public investment management within Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and Local Councils (LCs).
In 2018 after the general elections, the new administration introduced a structural change within the government that led to the separation of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development into two distinct ministries: the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED). This separation reflected the growing complexity and importance of planning and investment management in Sierra Leone’s development agenda. As a result, the Public Investment Management Unit (PIMU) was transferred to MoPED, where its functions became even more integral to the country’s economic planning and growth strategies.
Two years later, in 2020, recognizing the expanding role and importance of public investment management, the government further upgraded the PIMU to a full directorate within MoPED, now known as the Public Investment Management Directorate (PIMD). This upgrade underscored the critical role that public investment management plays in national development and economic planning. The PIMD has since been tasked with ensuring that public resources are used efficiently and effectively to drive the nation’s development agenda, focusing on high-impact and sustainable projects.
This evolution of the PIMD demonstrates the government’s commitment to fostering transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public investment management. By institutionalizing best practices in project design, selection, and appraisal, Sierra Leone continues to build a foundation for sustainable development, ensuring that public investments contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic growth and social well-being.
Key Achievements of the Public Investment Management Directorate (PIMD)
The Public Investment Management Directorate (PIMD) under the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development continues to make significant strides in transforming Sierra Leone’s public investment landscape.
Through several key initiatives, the Directorate has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to improving public services, strengthening local communities, and fostering sustainable national development. Here are some of the remarkable achievements that highlight the PIMD’s impact across the country:
- Strengthening Sierra Leone’s Public Investment Framework: In a significant stride toward bolstering Sierra Leone’s public investment framework, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development through the Public Investment Management Directorate (PIMD), has successfully concluded a two-policy initiative. The 1st policy started in 2015 and was formally approved by the Cabinet in 2022 and the reverse policy in 2024. The reverse version of the policy was mainly to incorporate emerging issues of climate change, gender mainstreaming and disability consideration.
To further support this objective, a comprehensive manual was developed in 2022. This manual serves as a practical guide for all stakeholders involved in public investment, including Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), and Local Councils (LCs). It outlines each phase of public investment project development, from the initial concept through to implementation and final evaluation.
The manual is built around an 8-step Public Investment Management (PIM) process, ensuring that every phase of a project is connected and aligned with national priorities. It includes annexes, templates, forms, and references to sector-specific policies, making it an essential tool for efficient project execution. It ensures alignment with key government frameworks, including procurement regulations and other specialized processes managed by the PIMD.
By providing clear guidance and linking projects with relevant policies and procedures, this manual is set to revolutionize how public investment projects are planned, managed, and executed across Sierra Leone. It serves as a beacon of the government’s determination to ensure transparency, accountability, and maximum value for public resources.
Through these structured efforts and continuous improvements, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development is laying the groundwork for a more sustainable, prosperous future for Sierra Leone, demonstrating its dedication to enhancing the country’s public investment landscape.
The Public Investment Management Directorate (PIMD) is dedicated to ensuring the effective management of public investment projects across Sierra Leone. One of our key initiatives is the compilation of project profiles for both MDAs and LCs in an annual Compendium of Projects, captured in both the Public Investment Programme (PIP) and the national budget. It is a comprehensive directory of all approved projects for the 2024 fiscal year and all scheduled for the coming year. This compendium serves as a valuable resource for government stakeholders, promoting transparency, coordination, and accountability in public investment management
The Compendium of Projects provides a detailed record of planned projects by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), and Local Councils (LCs). It includes essential project information such as objectives, estimated costs, implementation agency, timelines, outputs and expected outcomes.
Each year, all MDAs, SOEs, and LCs are required to complete a standardized project profile template for every project they intend to undertake in the next fiscal year for approval. These profiles are then submitted to PIMD’s technical staff for review and verification. During this process, PIMD ensures that projects align with national development goals and budgetary guidelines. To ensure clarity and ease of use, the finalized compendium is published in two volumes:
Volume 1: Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs)
Volume 2: Local Councils (LCs)
This format allows policymakers, government officials, and development partners to track, monitor, and evaluate projects efficiently.
The Compendium of Projects is vital to prudent public financial management in Sierra Leone, offering several advantages: