Sierra Leone was one of the first countries to embark on the process of adopting the integrated national financing framework (INFF) concept and adapting it the national context and institutions.
This case study explores Sierra Leone’s experience to date in the ongoing process of operationalising an INFF, to share lessons and considerations that will be valuable for other countries as they plan and move ahead with their own INFF processes. The case study sits alongside methodological guidance from the Inter-Agency Task Force on Financing for Development (IATF) on the process of designing and implementing an INFF, highlighting a practical example of how Sierra Leone has taken forward many steps in the process.
Sierra Leone’s experience in exploring, adapting and operationalising an INFF highlights the kind of pathway that other countries may consider in order to build the necessary political buy-in, collaboration and technical analysis. It highlights some specific lessons learned that may be transferrable to other country contexts; the importance of developing a clear purpose for the INFF, building political and technical buy-in to the INFF process and investing in clear, continued communications efforts. The experience also highlights how an INFF can support governments to respond to changing circumstances, and in particular the value that it can add as governments start to look ahead to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.