Alfred Samah

Alfred W. B. Samah
Deputy Governor, Financial Stability
Bank of Sierra Leone


Mr. Alfred Wonneh Basith Samah is the Deputy Governor for Financial Stability at the Bank of Sierra Leone, a position he assumed in August 2025. He supports the Governor in promoting monetary and financial stability, serves as an Executive Member of the Board of Directors, and represents the Governor on the Board of the National Revenue Authority. In the absence of the Governor and First Deputy Governor, he oversees the Bank’s daily operations to ensure continuity and effective policy coordination. With over twenty-five years of central banking experience, Mr. Samah has held senior roles including Chief Operating Officer, Senior Director for Monetary Stability, and Director of Banking and Payment Systems, contributing significantly to the strengthening of Sierra Leone’s financial system. He has led major reforms such as the Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) System, Automated Clearing House and Cheque Truncation System, Electronic Funds Transfer ecosystem, Treasury Single Account framework, and the Sierra Leone National Payment Switch (Salone Switch), all of which enhanced resilience, efficiency, and alignment with international standards. As Director of Banking and Payment Systems, he provided leadership in currency management, payment regulation, and market stability, while supporting fiscal transparency through sound payment and settlement frameworks. He also played a pivotal role in the Leone redenomination, ensuring a smooth transition that maintained public confidence and financial stability. Earlier in his career, he advanced operational-risk governance, strengthened commercial bank supervision, and championed electronic-banking regulations and financial inclusion initiatives. Mr. Samah holds a Master of Business Administration from the Institute of Public Administration and Management, University of Sierra Leone, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Fourah Bay College. He has undertaken professional training with the IMF, WAIFEM, and other institutions in economic analysis, financial programming, debt management, and capital-market development. Widely respected for his integrity and leadership, Mr Samah continues to drive reforms that foster financial stability, innovation, and inclusive growth in Sierra Leone.