Freetown, Sierra Leone – July 29, 2025 – The Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) took a significant step towards enhancing international cooperation and fostering stronger institutional ties when its Auditor General, Abdul Aziz, led a delegation of senior officials on a courtesy visit to the European Union (EU) Delegation in Sierra Leone. The engagement aimed to deepen collaboration, share insights, and reinforce mutual commitments towards transparency and accountable governance in Sierra Leone.
The EU Delegation, represented by Ambassador Jacek Jankowski, warmly welcomed the ASSL team, congratulating the Auditor General on his recent appointment. During the meeting, Ambassador Jankowski highlighted the significance of ongoing technical exchanges, notably referencing the recent study tour undertaken by the ASSL officials to Poland’s Supreme Audit Office (NIK).
Ambassador Jankowski reaffirmed the EU’s strong commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s reform agenda. He lauded the ASSL leadership and its dedication to advancing accountability standards within the country. He assured the delegation that the EU remained committed to sustaining its support through the ongoing EU-funded projects and would continue to collaborate closely with the ASSL to achieve shared goals.
In his address, Abdul Aziz provided an overview of the ASSL’s evolving mandate. He detailed the institution’s shift to audits directed towards service delivery that will impact the lives of the people which focus on assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of government programmes and initiatives. This strategic pivot aligns with the principles outlined in the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) P-12 Framework, emphasizing the role of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) in enhancing citizen welfare through improved public service delivery.
The Auditor General also elaborated on the current audit landscape in Sierra Leone, highlighting efforts to promote transparency and accountability in the management of public resources. He emphasized that robust auditing not only safeguards public funds but also contributes to good governance, ultimately fostering economic growth and social development.
Members of the ASSL delegation shared reflections on the Poland visit, underscoring its success in exposing Sierra Leonean auditors to advanced practices in the audit of state budget execution—an area that aligns closely with the country’s developmental priorities. The delegation explained that the study tour was instrumental in broadening their understanding of audit methodologies employed by NIK, which could be adapted to Sierra Leone’s context to strengthen domestic audit capacity.
The meeting concluded on an optimistic note, with both parties expressing mutual interest in fostering continued dialogue, technical cooperation, and capacity-building initiatives.
This engagement marks a pivotal step in solidifying Sierra Leone’s commitment to strengthening its public financial management systems. By fostering collaboration with international partners like the EU, the ASSL is positioning itself to contribute more effectively to transparent governance, improved service delivery, and sustainable development in Sierra Leone.
