By zainab.joaque@awokonewspaper.sl
Kenema, SIERRA LEONE – In an unprecedented move, Ibrahim L. Stevens PhD., Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, is breaking tradition by taking the nation’s central bank operations to the East. Starting today, Tuesday, April 1st, 2025, Governor Stevens will work remotely from Kenema—marking the first time a sitting Bank Governor has officially conducted business outside Freetown.
This four-day pilot initiative, ending on Friday, April 4th, is more than just a change of scenery—it’s a strategic test of the Bank’s ability to function seamlessly from anywhere in Sierra Leone. By setting up his office in Kenema, Governor Stevens sends a powerful message: the country’s financial leadership is committed to decentralization, technological innovation, and inclusivity.
The move underscores the Bank’s push toward modernizing operations, ensuring business continuity, and strengthening financial inclusion across all regions. “Its part of integrating Kenema more, it is part of the bank, we should be able to function from anywhere. We want to test out systems and to see that I can be in Kenema and run the bank. It’s a business continuity strategy” said Governor Stevens.
This experiment also highlights the Bank’s confidence in its remote systems, a critical factor in today’s fast-evolving financial landscape. With cyber-security and digital banking on the rise, Governor Stevens’ Kenema stint demonstrates that Sierra Leone’s financial infrastructure can remain resilient, even outside the capital.
Under Governor Stevens’ leadership, the Bank has prioritized digital innovation and financial accessibility. This remote work initiative aligns with global trends where flexibility and adaptability define successful institutions.
As Kenema welcomes the Governor, many see this as a symbolic step toward greater regional economic empowerment. Could this pave the way for more decentralized financial operations? Only time will tell—but for now, Sierra Leone’s banking sector is making history, one remote workday at a time. ZIJ/1/4/2025
