Success when stars align: Public financial management reforms in Sierra Leone

Since the end of the civil war, the Government of Sierra Leone has made substantial progress in strengthening public financial management. Improvements have been achieved across all aspects of the budget cycle and are particularly notable with regard to budget execution functions. The main factors that appear to have contributed to these improvements include a strong starting position at the beginning of the ceasefire; political appetite for public financial management reforms; a cadre of motivated and professional local technical advisors; and considerable international support co-ordinated through budget support operations.