President Julius Maada Bio has officially announced the appointment of Mr. Abdul Aziz as the new Auditor-General of Sierra Leone. This move is seen as a landmark step in the country’s ongoing efforts to improve public financial management, transparency and accountability. His appointment is in line with Section 119(1) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.
Mr Aziz’s journey in the public service spans over 30 years where he demonstrated unwavering diligence and professionalism. Over the years, he exhibited remarkable leadership qualities, which facilitated his swift career progression, culminating in his appointment as Deputy Auditor-General in 2008—a position in which he played a pivotal role in shaping Sierra Leone’s audit landscape.
In November 2021, Mr. Aziz was appointed as Acting Auditor-General, a role he embraced with dedication and visionary leadership. During his tenure, he spearheaded targeted reforms that expanded the scope and quality of audit activities. He prioritised improving data collection and analysis, updating audit standards, and increasing the transparency of government financial operations. His emphasis on independence, integrity, and professionalism has been central to maintaining the Office’s reputation as a credible institution committed to good governance.
Throughout his tenure, Mr. Aziz has been instrumental in modernizing and strengthening Sierra Leone’s public financial oversight mechanisms. Under his guidance, the Serviceadopted innovative audit methodologies, improved operational efficiency, and fostered strategic collaborations with international development partners—including the World Bank, Gavi, Global Fund, the African Development Bank, and United Nations agencies—contributing significantly to aligning Sierra Leone’s financial oversight with international standards.
His appointment as Auditor General comes at a critical juncture for Sierra Leone, a nation actively pursuing economic growth and enhancing public service delivery to its citizens
Mr. Aziz’s appointment is expected to catalyze a new phase of institutional strengthening within the Office of the Auditor-General. His vast experience and leadership qualities position him to advance reforms that align audit practices with international standards, enhance the capacity of the office, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. His vision includes leveraging technological advancements, adopting innovative audit techniques, expanding oversight activities to cover emerging risks and challenges and diverting auditing methodologies to meet service delivery requirements of the government of Sierra Leone.
