The government has announced its ambitious Financial Year 2025 National Budget, prioritizing job creation with the allocation of funds for the recruitment of over 10,000 new workers across various sectors. This initiative is part of the administration’s broader strategy to tackle unemployment and boost economic productivity.
A significant portion of these positions will strengthen essential services, including healthcare, education, and law enforcement and among others. The minister also mentioned that the government Wage Bill is projected to increase to NLe7.6 billion (3.9 per cent of GDP) in 2025 from NLe6.5 billion (3.9 per cent of GDP) in 2025.
He reiterated that the government’s commitment to a 45 per cent increase in salaries for teachers, which started in 2023, remains intact.
Teachers will, therefore, receive the third and final tranche of a 15 per cent increase in January 2025.
The government will also recruit 2,000 additional teachers and reassess and promote 3,043 teachers, effective September 2025.
Recruitment of 3,000 health workers effective July 2025 and a 15 percent salary increase for health workers effective April 2025.
Recruitment of an additional 1,000 civil servants; award a 30 per cent salary increase effective April 2025 for civil servants in Grades 8 to 14 who have not received any pay raise since 2018.
Recruitment of 500 staff by tertiary educational institutions effective September 2025 as follows: Universities - 300, Colleges -100 and Technical and Vocational Institutions -100 staff. A 15 per cent salary increase is awarded to the staff of tertiary education institutions effective April 2025. Recruitment of 600 military personnel effective July 2025.
The military will receive a 15 per cent salary increase effective April 2025. In addition, 500 military health workers will be recruited effective March 2025. All military health workers will be awarded a 15 per cent salary increase effective April 2025, as in the case of the other health workers. Recruitment of 1,000 new employees for the Sierra Leone Police effective July 2025. A 15 per cent salary increase will be awarded to the Sierra Leone Police, effective April 2025. Recruitment of 1,000 new employees by the Sierra Leone Correctional Services, effective July 2025.
A 15 percent salary increase will be awarded to the Sierra Leone Correctional Services effective April 2025 Recruitment of 200 new employees by the National Fire Force effective July 2025. A 15 per cent salary increase will be awarded to the National Fire Force effective April 2025
A cost-of-living adjustment of 5 per cent for Foreign Missions and the Judiciary, effective April 2025, government pensioners will receive a 25 per cent increase in their pensions effective April 2025.
The Minister of Finance emphasized that this recruitment drive aligns with the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth while improving service delivery.
Economists have praised the initiative, citing its potential to stimulate domestic consumption and reduce reliance on social safety nets.
With the Financial Year 2025 Budget, the government seeks to balance fiscal responsibility with human development, signaling hope for thousands of job seekers and the broader economy.
Other key areas in the budget are expenditures on Social Safety Net, the Feed Salone Programme, and Energy and Infrastructure.