31/07/2026
**SLOAN-SL Validates 2025-2030 Strategic Plan to Expand Access to Higher Education**
**30th July, 2026
@ Ministry of Finance’s Conference Hall, Freetown**
The Sierra Leone Students’ Loan Scheme (SLOAN-SL) has validated its Strategic Plan for 2025-2030 during a stakeholder workshop aimed at strengthening the country’s higher education financing system and expanding access to tertiary education for deserving students.
The validation workshop brought together representatives from government ministries, tertiary institutions, development partners, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to review the draft Strategic Plan, make recommendations, and build consensus before the document’s final adoption.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, described the validation exercise as an important milestone in developing a sustainable and innovative higher education financing system, noting that the Strategic Plan would serve as a critical tool for advancing national development.
Dr. Wurie observed that while many Sierra Leonean families make significant sacrifices to educate their children, financial hardship continues to prevent many qualified students from pursuing higher education. She stressed that genuine access to education goes beyond admission and must also ensure that students are able to successfully complete their studies.
She said the Students’ Loan Scheme, established under the Students’ Loan Scheme Act of 2021, represents a significant policy shift towards a more equitable and sustainable financing model that complements the Government’s Grant-in-Aid programme and supports President Julius Maada Bio’s Human Capital Development Agenda.
According to the Minister, the Strategic Plan prioritises expanding access to tertiary education, promoting fairness in loan allocation, strengthening institutional capacity, improving financial management, and building strategic partnerships to guarantee the long-term sustainability of the Scheme.
She further highlighted the importance of supporting students pursuing studies in science, engineering, technology, agriculture, health sciences, technical and vocational education, and teacher education, describing these sectors as essential to Sierra Leone’s economic transformation, innovation, food security, and national development.
Dr. Wurie encouraged participants to provide constructive feedback to strengthen the document, emphasising that the true measure of success would be its effective implementation. She concluded by reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with the SLOAN-SL Board, management, tertiary institutions, and development partners before officially declaring the workshop open.
Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, described the Strategic Plan as a vital roadmap that will guide the operations of the Student Loan Scheme through 2030.
He noted that the Scheme was established under the Government’s Human Capital Development Agenda to increase access to higher education, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and urged stakeholders to critically review the draft document to ensure it effectively serves future generations.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, Mohamed Sheick Kargbo, reminded participants that the purpose of the workshop was to validate and improve the existing draft rather than rewrite it entirely.
He emphasised that strategic planning is fundamental to effective institutional management and encouraged stakeholders to identify gaps, refine the document, and ensure it becomes a practical guide for implementing the Student Loan Scheme’s programmes.
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Sierra Leone Students’ Loan Scheme, Sitta Isata Kaikai, described the validation of the institution’s first Strategic Plan as a major step towards transforming higher education financing in Sierra Leone.
She said the plan outlines a shared vision for building a financing system that is equitable, transparent, financially sustainable, and responsive to the aspirations of young people.
Kaikai highlighted achievements already recorded by the Scheme, including support for postgraduate students and the establishment of the institutional framework for a revolving loan programme. She expressed confidence that the Strategic Plan would strengthen governance, operational systems, resource mobilisation, and loan recovery while expanding support to undergraduate students.
Presenting the draft Strategic Plan, Consultant Andrew John Moifula, Director of Research, Innovation and Development at the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology (EBKUST), outlined the significance of strategic planning in ensuring effective resource allocation, risk management, stakeholder engagement, monitoring and evaluation, informed decision-making, and improved educational outcomes.
He explained that the Strategic Plan is built around five strategic pillars:
•expanding access to tertiary education
•promoting equality and equity
•supporting human capital development
•reducing the financial burden on students
•and strengthening institutional capacity and partnerships
Moifula further stated that the Strategic Plan aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as well as the Government’s Big Five Game Changers.
The consultant revealed that the Scheme aims to provide loans to 10,000 students by 2030, with a strategic focus on STEM programmes and underserved regions.
He further stated that funding for implementing the Strategic Plan will come from Government allocations, donor support, internally generated revenue, philanthropic contributions, and other approved funding sources.
During an interactive question-and-answer session facilitated by Director of Loan Administration, Dr. Prince Momoh, participants sought clarification on key aspects of the Scheme.
Officials explained that student loans attract a 2 percent value-maintaining fee and a 1.5 percent insurance premium. They also noted that beneficiaries who complete repayment will receive an official certificate confirming full settlement within 14 days.
In his closing remarks, Chief Executive Officer of the Sierra Leone Students’ Loan Scheme, Paul Amara, thanked the Government of Sierra Leone, development partners, Board members, tertiary institutions, financial institutions, the media, and all participants for their valuable contributions to the validation process.
He said the recommendations and technical inputs received during the workshop had significantly strengthened the draft Strategic Plan and would be incorporated before the document is submitted for approval.
He noted that validating the Strategic Plan marks the beginning of a broader implementation process and stressed that sustained collaboration among stakeholders would be essential to building a credible and sustainable student financing system that expands access to higher education and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) for future generations of Sierra Leoneans.
