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Sierra Leone

Republic of Sierra Leone

English Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL) Mixed: English common law, customary law
AU, ECOWAS, AfCFTA, Commonwealth, WTO

Sierra Leone is rebuilding its economy after the devastating 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic and decades of civil conflict. Key sectors include iron ore mining (Marampa and Tonkolili mines), diamonds, rutile (world's largest deposit), bauxite, agriculture (rice, cocoa, coffee), and fisheries. The Freetown port serves as a natural deep-water harbor. The country has improved democratic governance with peaceful power transitions. Challenges include poor infrastructure, limited electricity access, high youth unemployment, and vulnerability to commodity price swings.

Snapshot

Population~8.8 MWorld Bank, 2025
GDP (current USD)$7.5 BWorld Bank, 2025
GDP per Capita$846World Bank, 2025
GDP Growth4.61%World Bank, 2025
Inflation (y/y)~7.49%World Bank, 2025
Unemployment3.15%World Bank, ILO modelled estimate, 2025
Internet Use~25.11%World Bank, 2024
Electrification~27.00%World Bank WDI
CPI Score (Rank)34.0/100 (#110)Transparency Intl
HDI (Rank)0.477 (#181)UNDP HDR

World Bank Indicators Compare with another country

GDP (current USD)$7.5 BWorld Bank, 2025
GDP growth (annual)4.61%World Bank, 2025
GDP per capita (USD)$846World Bank, 2025
Population, total8.8 MWorld Bank, 2025
FDI net inflows (USD)$121.8 MWorld Bank, 2024
Inflation (consumer prices)7.49%World Bank, 2025
Unemployment (% labour force)3.15%World Bank, 2025
Internet use (% of people)25.11%World Bank, 2024
Trade (% of GDP)49.10%World Bank, 2025

Country Facts

CapitalFreetown
RegionWest Africa
CurrencySierra Leonean Leone (SLL)
FX RegimeManaged float
Legal SystemMixed: English common law, customary law
Time ZoneAfrica/Freetown

Focus Sectors

Mining (iron ore
diamonds
rutile
bauxite)
Agriculture (rice
cocoa
coffee)
Fisheries
Tourism
Telecoms

Regulations & Taxes

Corporate Income Tax25% standard (mining: variable)
VAT / Sales Tax15% standard