President Dr Julius Maada Bio has declared 2026 a decisive “Year of Action,” promising Sierra Leoneans that his administration will focus on delivering tangible, everyday improvements in livelihoods, public services, food security, and economic stability.
In his New Year’s Day national address, the President acknowledged the economic challenges that families face while expressing confidence that the country has entered the new year in a more stable and realistic position to put past reforms into action.
Addressing persistent global challenges such as high living costs, climate-related pressures, and fiscal constraints, President Bio stated that Sierra Leone has made difficult but necessary decisions in recent years to stabilise the economy and restore institutional trust. He emphasised that national progress would be contingent not only on government action, but also on citizenship, integrity, and collective responsibility.
The speech reiterated the administration’s top priority, Feed Salone, which is one of the “Big Five Game Changers.” President Bio stated that Feed Salone would prioritise food security, job creation, and national self-sufficiency through increased agricultural production, improved market access, and increased youth participation in agribusiness.
He also announced plans to expand economic activity in agriculture, fisheries, mining, tourism, renewable energy, and the digital economy, all while creating an enabling environment for small and medium-sized businesses and credible investors. On social services, the President reaffirmed his commitment to investing in people through high-quality education and stronger healthcare systems.
He emphasised a firm response to drug abuse, particularly the fight against the stimulant known locally as Kush, advocating a multifaceted approach that combines strict law enforcement with prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs.
However, many Sierra Leoneans will judge the pledges against eight years of governance, during which critics claim promises have too frequently failed to translate into everyday improvements.
President Bio, who pledged in his 2018 manifesto to “fix the mess left behind by the Ernest Koroma regime,” has been urged to make faster progress amid growing public dissatisfaction with what some describe as an economic meltdown, a deteriorating healthcare system, and an unsustainable energy supply. The President acknowledged that previous commitments had not always been fulfilled as intended, and vowed that 2026 would not be a year of empty promises, but of careful decision-making, honesty in governance, and responsible use of public funds.
Sceptics remain vocal, warning that rhetoric must be matched by action, and that long-standing issues such as wasteful spending, leaks, and corruption within ministries, departments, and agencies must be addressed. As the government sets its agenda for the year, citizens and observers will be watching to see if the administration’s stated goals result in visible improvements in Sierra Leoneans’ daily lives.
