Attachments
OVERALL PROGRESS
Context
Sierra Leone, a West African nation with a tropical climate and diverse geography, faces a myriad of interconnected challenges across multiple domains. The country is highly susceptible to natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and droughts, which disrupt the economy and infrastructure, compounding existing development struggles. Economically, while Sierra Leone is rich in natural resources like diamonds, iron ore, bauxite and rutile, its economy remains largely agrarian and plagued by issues such as corruption, poor infrastructure, and limited access to basic services. Food insecurity is pervasive, due to extremely low agricultural productivity. Half the population does not have access to adequate nutritious food for a healthy life, and chronic malnutrition is widespread. Agriculture is at the core of Sierra Leone’s economy, but domestic production by smallholder (often subsistence) farmers is insufficient to feed the population. As a result, Sierra Leone imports more than 70 per cent of the food its population consumes.
Political instability has marked Sierra Leone’s past, notably with a civil war that ended in 2002, but despite significant progress in peacebuilding and democracy, recent political developments—including the June 2023 elections and a potential coup attempt in November—highlight ongoing governance tensions.
The country has also faced severe challenges with a fragile healthcare system that struggles with outbreaks such as Ebola and lacks sufficient infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. Socially, high levels of poverty, unemployment, gender inequality and limited access to education and clean water persist, reflecting deep structural vulnerabilities. In Sierra Leone, women continue to suffer significant inequalities in terms of literacy, access to land and legal protection.
Recent economic crises, currency devaluation, civil unrest and periods of inter-communal conflict, especially in Freetown, have heightened political tensions and undermined efforts toward sustainable development. The instability is compounded by a series of protests and violent episodes surrounding the 2023 elections and ongoing investigations into recent security incidents. These factors suggest that Sierra Leone’s path toward long-term stability remains fragile, with governance, social equity and disaster resilience among the key areas requiring sustained attention and support.