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Sierra Leone has received a major boost for its economic development after the African Development Bank (AfDB) approved a five-year Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for 2025–2030, committing approximately $500 million to promote sustainable growth, resilience, and inclusive development.
The CSP aligns with the government’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (2021–2025) and Vision 2030, which aim to transform Sierra Leone into a middle-income economy.
Despite strong momentum in recent years with average GDP growth of 6.7% between 2020 and 2024 driven by agriculture and services the country still faces infrastructure gaps, limited private sector expansion, high food import dependency, and rising climate vulnerability.
Under the strategy, the AfDB will prioritize renewable energy projects, climate-resilient roads, and improved water and sanitation systems. Agro-industrial transformation will reduce dependence on staple imports, expand domestic processing, and create employment opportunities for women and youth.
The CSP also integrates initiatives such as the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) to support women-led agribusinesses and enhance supply-chain efficiency through digital tools.
Total projected financing, including contributions from development partners, is estimated at $2.1 billion. Implementation will involve coordinated efforts among government institutions, the private sector, civil society, and development partners, with strong focus on environmental and social safeguards, private sector engagement, and SME development.
The AfDB’s strategy is expected to create over 500,000 jobs through agro-industrialization and SME strengthening. Officials say, if implemented effectively, the CSP could accelerate progress toward Vision 2030, improve food security, and reduce inequalities that contribute to fragility.
