By: Saidu Jalloh
A new report by the World Bank reveals that Sierra Leone has experienced a dramatic decline in food inflation, dropping from 32.4% in May 2024 to just 10.3% in May 2025. This sharp reduction marks a major turnaround in the country’s economic and food security outlook and signals significant progress in the government’s ongoing reform efforts.
According to the report, this remarkable improvement is the result of a combination of macroeconomic stabilization measures and targeted interventions in the agricultural sector. Over the past year, Sierra Leone has implemented tighter monetary policies and strengthened fiscal discipline both of which have helped curb inflationary pressures and stabilize the Leone currency. These efforts have been bolstered by coordinated action from the Bank of Sierra Leone to manage the money supply and stabilize exchange rates.
The World Bank emphasizes that controlling inflation especially food prices is essential in a country where the majority of people live on low incomes and spend a large portion of their earnings on food. A more stable price environment protects household purchasing power and helps ease poverty-related hardships.
A key driver of this positive trend has been the government’s flagship Feed Salone initiative, launched in 2023. The program aims to achieve national food self-sufficiency by increasing domestic food production, reducing import dependence, and improving rural livelihoods. Through strategic investments in agriculture including subsidies for inputs such as seeds and fertilizers, mechanization support, and irrigation infrastructure smallholder farmers have been empowered to boost yields and contribute significantly to local food supply.
The initiative also prioritizes value chain development for staple crops such as rice, cassava, and vegetables. Improved rural road networks and better market access have enhanced food distribution efficiency, helping to stabilize prices and promote equitable access across regions.
Despite these gains, the World Bank cautions that challenges remain. As of early 2024, over 55% of the population was still experiencing insufficient food consumption, according to integrated food security data. Vulnerable groups—particularly those in rural and peri-urban areas continue to struggle to access affordable, nutritious food.
The report calls for a balanced approach that not only boosts food production but also strengthens social safety nets, improves nutrition, and builds resilience to climate-related shocks. Erratic rainfall, flooding, and other climate risks continue to threaten agricultural productivity and food security.
Looking ahead, the World Bank projects that Sierra Leone’s economy will grow by 4.3% in 2025, supported by sustained policy reforms, recovery in the mining sector, and expanding agricultural output. The report underscores the importance of maintaining macroeconomic discipline, strengthening public financial management, and investing in human capital particularly in health, education, and nutrition.
The Bank further recommends reinforcing institutions responsible for agricultural development and food regulation to ensure effective coordination of food security initiatives. It also advocates for increased private sector participation in agribusiness and agro-processing to create jobs and add value to domestic production.
The sharp decline in food inflation from over 32% to just over 10% in a single year represents a major milestone for Sierra Leone. It illustrates the impact of strong leadership, coherent economic policy, and targeted support to agriculture. However, sustaining this progress will require ongoing efforts to address structural weaknesses, build resilience to external shocks, and promote inclusive economic growth.
As Sierra Leone continues on its path toward economic recovery and food security, the World Bank’s findings underscore the critical importance of maintaining reform momentum, protecting vulnerable populations, and laying the foundation for long-term prosperity.