Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone, a coastal nation located in West Africa, is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest. The country’s rich history has been shaped by its indigenous heritage, the transatlantic slave trade, British colonial rule, and its post-independence struggles with political instability and civil conflict. Today, Sierra Leone stands as a resilient democracy, endowed with natural resources and a population committed to rebuilding after decades of hardship.

Historical background

The territory now forming Sierra Leone has been continuously inhabited for more than two millennia, with its dense tropical forests historically serving as a natural barrier against conquest by major West African empires. Early trans-Saharan trade routes facilitated the introduction of Islam, which remains a dominant faith. By the seventeenth century, British traders had established settlements along the coast, trading timber and ivory before becoming heavily involved in the Atlantic slave trade.
In 1787, British abolitionists founded a colony at Freetown for resettling Black Loyalists—freed slaves who had supported Britain during the American War of Independence. Following the abolition of the slave trade in 1807, thousands of liberated Africans intercepted from slave ships were resettled in Sierra Leone, establishing a diverse Creole society. The colony grew throughout the nineteenth century, becoming a prominent centre for Christian missionary activity and Western education in West Africa.
Sierra Leone gained independence from Britain on 27 April 1961, with Sir Milton Margai as its first Prime Minister. However, democratic stability was short-lived. Siaka Stevens’ rule from 1967 to 1985 consolidated a one-party system marred by corruption and economic decay. His successor, Joseph Momoh, failed to manage growing discontent, leading to the civil war of 1991, waged by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). The conflict became infamous for atrocities, including the use of child soldiers and the illicit trade in “blood diamonds.” More than 50,000 lives were lost and millions were displaced.
International intervention proved decisive. A Nigerian-led ECOWAS force restored the elected government of Ahmad Tejan Kabbah in 1998, and British troops later supported the disarmament process. The war officially ended in 2002. Since then, Sierra Leone has maintained a multi-party democracy, with peaceful transitions of power between the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the All People’s Congress (APC). President Julius Maada Bio, elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2023, introduced the Agreement for National Unity (2023) to foster inter-party cooperation and electoral reform.

Geography and environment

Sierra Leone covers 71,740 square kilometres on the West African coast. Its topography includes mangrove-lined coasts, rolling hills, plateaus, and the mountainous eastern region dominated by Mount Bintimani (1,948 metres). The tropical climate alternates between a long rainy season (May–December) and a dry season (December–April), with coastal rainfall exceeding 495 cm annually—among the highest in West Africa.
The nation’s wealth of natural resources—diamonds, gold, bauxite, titanium, and iron ore—has significantly influenced its economic and political development. However, resource dependence has also contributed to conflict and environmental degradation. About 54.7% of land is agricultural, while 34.6% is forested. Deforestation, slash-and-burn agriculture, and soil erosion pose persistent ecological threats. Sierra Leone is a signatory to international environmental accords, including the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Population and society

As of 2024, Sierra Leone’s population stands at approximately 9.12 million, characterised by a youthful demographic with a median age of 19.4 years. Major ethnic groups include the Temne (35.4%), Mende (30.8%), Limba, Kono, Fullah, and Krio peoples. The Krio, descendants of freed Jamaican slaves, constitute about 1.2% of the population yet wield significant cultural influence through the Krio language, an English-based Creole spoken by over 95% of Sierra Leoneans.
Religion in Sierra Leone is marked by harmony, with 77% Muslims and 23% Christians coexisting peacefully. Rapid population growth at 2.32% annually reflects high fertility rates (3.61 children per woman) alongside improving life expectancy, which stands at 59.4 years.
Health and education indicators remain below regional averages. The infant mortality rate is 71 deaths per 1,000 live births, and the maternal mortality ratio is 354 per 100,000 births. Only 65% of citizens have access to safe drinking water, and 57% to improved sanitation. Despite limited medical infrastructure—just 0.13 physicians per 1,000 people—government investment in education is high, accounting for 8.5% of GDP, one of the world’s largest proportions.

Government and political structure

Sierra Leone is a presidential republic governed by the 1991 Constitution, combining English common law with customary law. The President serves as both head of state and head of government, elected for a five-year term renewable once. The unicameral Parliament of 149 members includes 135 elected representatives and 14 paramount chiefs. Women hold 29.5% of parliamentary seats.
The judiciary comprises the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and High Court, with judicial appointments made by the President and confirmed by Parliament. The nation is divided into four provinces and the Western Area, which includes the capital, Freetown.
National symbols include the lion, the green-white-blue flag, and the anthem High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free. Sierra Leone actively participates in international organisations such as ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations.

Economy

Sierra Leone’s economy remains resource-driven and low-income, dominated by mining and subsistence agriculture. GDP (PPP) reached $26.7 billion in 2024, with an annual growth rate of 4%. High inflation (28.6%) and currency depreciation challenge economic stability, while GDP per capita stands at approximately $3,100.
The economy is divided into agriculture (25.4%), industry (27.3%), and services (44.8%). Major exports include iron ore, titanium ore, diamonds, bauxite, and cocoa beans, with China as the principal trading partner, purchasing nearly 67% of exports. Imports are dominated by rice, medicines, plastics, cement, and vehicles, largely from China, India, the UAE, and the United States.
Over half of the population (56.8%) lives below the poverty line, while remittances account for 4.6% of GDP. Unemployment remains officially low at 3.2%, but underemployment is widespread, particularly in rural areas. The government continues to promote transparency in the extractive sector through initiatives such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and the National Development Plan.

Energy, infrastructure, and communications

Electricity access is limited: only 29.4% of the population has power, with urban access at 55% and rural access at 5%. Hydroelectricity contributes 84% of installed capacity, supplemented by solar power (10%). Energy consumption per capita is among the lowest globally.
Sierra Leone’s transport infrastructure includes eight airports, three ports (Freetown, Bonthe, and Pepel), and an expanding but still limited road network. Telecommunications are improving, with over 8 million mobile subscriptions and 21% internet penetration. Freetown serves as the digital and fintech hub, with growing investment in communication technology.

Defence and security

The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) consist of land, air, and maritime branches with approximately 10,000 active personnel. Defence expenditure accounts for 0.5% of GDP. The RSLAF originated from the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF), formed in 1900 under British colonial rule. Post-war reforms and international training partnerships with the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, China, and France have modernised the force and reinforced its regional peacekeeping role.
The Sierra Leone Police maintains domestic order under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, focusing on community security and crime prevention.

Culture and national identity

Sierra Leone’s culture reflects a fusion of ethnic traditions, religious tolerance, and linguistic diversity. Music, dance, storytelling, and traditional ceremonies are central to communal life. The Krio culture, born from freed slaves and African recaptives, remains a defining element of national identity, influencing language, cuisine, and social customs.