The Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has concluded a two-day workshop on the Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER) under the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN). The workshop, which commenced on Tuesday, 20th October, ended on Wednesday, 21st October 2026, at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room in Freetown. It brought together representatives from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to strengthen understanding of biodiversity-related expenditure and improve financing for environmental conservation in Sierra Leone.
In her opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Finance, Kadiatu Allie, underscored the importance of the workshop in strengthening biodiversity conservation and improving the financing of the country’s natural resources. She recalled that the Ministry of Finance, with support from UNDP, convened Sierra Leone’s first BIOFIN workshop in June 2020, laying the foundation for national dialogue on biodiversity financing. She noted that biodiversity is not merely an environmental asset but also an essential economic resource that sustains livelihoods, promotes food security, strengthens climate resilience and supports sustainable economic growth.
Madam Allie emphasized that reliable evidence is essential for effective policymaking and a comprehensive assessment of biodiversity-related expenditure across government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, academia and the private sector. She explained that the Biodiversity Expenditure Review would help identify existing investments, financing gaps and expenditure trends, while highlighting opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of biodiversity funding. She therefore encouraged participants, development partners and non-state actors to provide accurate and comprehensive data, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to integrating biodiversity and environmental considerations into national planning, budgeting and resource mobilization.
During the technical sessions, Sellu McCarthy, Head of the Climate Change Unit at the Ministry of Finance, delivered a presentation on Biodiversity Financing in Sierra Leone: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Role of Public Finance in Supporting Biodiversity Interventions, highlighting initiatives such as the Western Area Peninsula Project, supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Victor Ogundeji, UNDP BIOFIN Finance Specialist, presented on the objectives, outputs and expected results of the Sierra Leone BIOFIN Programme. His presentation also covered the BER methodology, expenditure categories, coding, attribution approaches and expenditure classification. Participants engaged in interactive question-and-answer sessions to clarify key concepts and strengthen their understanding of the review process.
The workshop marks an important step towards improving the evidence base for biodiversity financing and supporting informed decisions on environmental investments in Sierra Leone. Following the workshop, a two-day retreat will focus on collecting and submitting data on biodiversity-related programmes to support UNDP’s final project drafting process. The exercise is expected to provide a clearer picture of the country’s biodiversity expenditure and financing needs, helping stakeholders identify opportunities to mobilize resources and promote the sustainable management of Sierra Leone’s natural resources.
