The integrity of Sierra Leone’s infrastructure spending is under fire as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have suspended funding programs to the country following a controversial $67 million payment to Pavi Fort Al-Associates Group Ltd, a construction company with an increasingly questionable track record and troubling ties to political elites.
At the center of this financial storm is Alimu Barrie, CEO of Pavi Fort, whose company is now being accused of receiving tens of millions of dollars without adequate evidence of work completed. Both international institutions have flagged serious concerns over the government’s unchecked disbursement of public funds—allegedly to politically connected contractors—prompting a pause in their support for the country’s 2025 development programs.
Multiple sources within the Ministry of Finance have confirmed that the unprecedented $67 million payout to Pavi Fort—largely for road construction projects—lacked verifiable documentation of performance, raising red flags among donors and local watchdog groups alike. Despite Pavi Fort’s claims of executing projects across Sierra Leone, many of the roadworks remain untraceable or are of visibly poor quality.
“The IMF and World Bank cannot justify continued support to a country where contractors are paid massive sums without proof of delivery,” said a senior finance official who requested anonymity. “This isn’t about roads. It’s about basic accountability.”
The government’s own press release last month, while careful not to name Pavi Fort directly, confirmed that international funding had been suspended due to “ongoing assessments of public investment management.” But insiders reveal that the Pavi Fort payment was a key trigger in the decision by both financial bodies to withdraw support.
Questionable Work, Mounting Public Anger
Pavi Fort’s presence on public infrastructure contracts has long been a source of frustration for citizens and civil society groups. Reports of shoddy construction, delays, and abandoned projects have dogged the company across the country. Communities allegedly served by the company report little to no visible development, despite government records listing those projects as “completed.”
“Pavi Fort is the most powerful contractor in this country—but what have they really built?” asked one civil engineer. “You don’t need an audit report to see the truth—just drive through the so-called project areas.”
As backlash grows, critics are calling into question the character and conduct of CEO Alimu Barrie, who is frequently described as being deeply embedded in the political machinery. His company’s apparent impunity—receiving record-breaking payments without rigorous checks—has stirred fresh debate about cronyism and abuse of state resources in Sierra Leone.
Civil Society and Parliament Demand Accountability
Several Members of Parliament and advocacy organizations are now demanding a full investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). They argue that Pavi Fort must either return the misused funds or face legal consequences for what appears to be gross misuse of public and donor money.
“This is the clearest case of institutional betrayal,” said a leading civil society advocate. “The ACC must immediately summon Alimu Barrie, audit every payment made to Pavi Fort, and make those findings public.”
If unaddressed, the scandal could have devastating consequences for Sierra Leone’s development, including the long-term withdrawal of donor confidence, delays in essential infrastructure projects, and further economic stagnation.
A National Reckoning
As donor funds dry up and public frustration intensifies, the Pavi Fort scandal is becoming more than a corruption case—it is a national test of political will and institutional integrity. The question now facing the government is whether it will stand with the people and enforce accountability, or protect those at the center of a growing storm.
Until that answer is clear, $67 million remains in limbo—and so does Sierra Leone’s development future.
By Jasmine Jumu Kanneh
