Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has stated that while the Government has made significant progress in stabilizing food prices and ensuring the availability of essential commodities, the country’s greatest economic challenge remains low household income on Monday 22nd June 2026.
Speaking during a Civic Day engagement in London, the Vice President told a gathering of Sierra Leoneans that the Government’s next phase of economic reforms will focus on job creation, expanding livelihood opportunities, and increasing the purchasing power of households across the country.
Dr. Juldeh Jalloh noted that the Government has implemented a range of measures aimed at stabilizing commodity prices and improving food security, including import-substitution initiatives, pricing regulations, and targeted tax incentives.
“Over the years, the Government has worked diligently to stabilize commodity prices through several interventions, including import substitution, pricing regulation, and targeted tax incentives,” he said.
“Today, commodities such as rice, flour, onions, and vegetable oil are readily available in our markets, and their prices remain competitive compared to those in many neighbouring countries within the region,” Vice President said.
Despite improvements in food availability and affordability, the Vice President emphasized that many Sierra Leonean families continue to struggle because their incomes are insufficient to meet daily needs.
“The biggest challenge today is not necessarily food prices; it is household income,” he stated. “Even when commodities are available and relatively affordable, many families are unable to purchase them because household incomes remain low.”
He explained that the burden on household finances is often intensified by the limited number of income earners supporting large family units.
“The number of Sierra Leoneans supporting entire households is still relatively small. That is why increasing household income has become one of the Government’s highest priorities,” he added.
The Vice President said this reality informed the design of the Government’s flagship Feed Salone initiative, as well as its broader employment and economic growth agenda.
According to him, Feed Salone is intended not only to strengthen food production and reduce dependence on imports but also to create employment opportunities and increase household earnings.
“The overarching objective of Feed Salone and our job-creation agenda is to drive economic growth that expands household incomes,” Dr. Juldeh Jalloh explained.
“If we fail to address household income, lower commodity prices alone will not significantly improve the everyday lives of our people.”
He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to implementing policies that promote inclusive economic growth, create sustainable jobs, and improve the living standards of Sierra Leoneans.
The Vice President concluded by stressing that increasing household incomes remains central to the Government’s strategy for reducing poverty and enhancing economic resilience across the country.