EU Reaffirms Support for Sierra Leone’s Audit Reforms

The Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) has taken a major step toward strengthening international cooperation and institutional partnerships. Auditor General Abdul Aziz led a delegation of senior officials on a courtesy visit to the European Union (EU) Delegation in Sierra Leone, with the goal of enhancing collaboration, sharing technical insights, and reinforcing mutual commitments to transparency and accountable governance.

The ASSL team was warmly received by the EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Jacek Jankowski, who congratulated Abdul Aziz on his recent appointment. Ambassador Jankowski underscored the importance of continued technical exchanges, citing the recent study tour by ASSL officials to Poland’s Supreme Audit Office (NIK) as a key example of valuable cross-learning opportunities.

Reaffirming the EU’s commitment to Sierra Leone’s governance reform agenda, Ambassador Jankowski praised the ASSL’s leadership and its dedication to strengthening public accountability. He assured the delegation that the EU would continue to support Sierra Leone through ongoing EU-funded projects and close collaboration with the ASSL to achieve shared development goals.

In his remarks, Auditor General Abdul Aziz outlined the evolving strategic direction of the ASSL, which now places greater emphasis on service delivery audits. These audits aim to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of government programs, with a focus on improving the daily lives of citizens. This strategic shift is aligned with the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) P-12 Framework, which highlights the role of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) in enhancing public welfare.

Aziz also highlighted ongoing efforts to promote transparency and accountability in the management of public resources. He emphasized that strong auditing practices are vital not only to safeguard public funds but also to advance good governance, economic growth, and social development.

Members of the ASSL delegation reflected on the success of their recent study tour to Poland. They described it as instrumental in exposing them to advanced methodologies for auditing state budget execution—an area closely tied to Sierra Leone’s development priorities. The knowledge gained, they said, would be tailored to strengthen domestic audit systems.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties expressing a strong desire to sustain dialogue, deepen technical cooperation, and pursue future capacity-building initiatives.

This engagement marks a pivotal moment in Sierra Leone’s efforts to enhance public financial management. By forging strong partnerships with international institutions like the EU, the Audit Service Sierra Leone is positioning itself as a key player in promoting transparency, improving service delivery, and driving sustainable national development.