Partner risk indices

Country Risk Index

60.4

Political Risk Index

52.4

Short-Term Economic Risk Index

53.8

Long-Term Economic Risk Index

63.9

Operational Risk Index

70

Source: Partner Research Partner, as of 8 Nov 2026. 0-100, higher means higher risk.

Key indicators

Market overview

• Sierra Leone is in West Africa and is classified by the World Bank as Low income. (World Bank)
• Population: 8.8 million (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• GDP: US$7.7bn in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)

Economic conditions

• Real GDP growth: 4.8% in 2025 (estimate); the IMF projects 4% for 2026. (IMF WEO)
• Average consumer price inflation: 7.6% in 2025 (estimate); projected 13.8% for 2026. (IMF WEO)
• General government gross debt: 51.4% of GDP in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)
• Current account balance: -5.2% of GDP in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)
• Government net lending/borrowing: -4.2% of GDP in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)
• Official exchange rate averaged 21.3 local currency units per US dollar in 2023, against 10.44 in 2021: 104.1% more units per dollar (the currency weakened against the dollar). (World Bank WDI)

Key risks

• Partner risk indices (0-100, higher = higher risk), as of 8 Nov 2026: Country Risk Index 60.4 (rank 39 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Political Risk Index 52.4 (rank 28 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Short-Term Economic Risk Index 53.8 (rank 24 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Long-Term Economic Risk Index 63.9 (rank 47 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Operational Risk Index 70 (rank 41 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk). (Partner Research Partner)
• Highest-scoring Partner risk component: logistics risk (77.9, operational). (Partner Research Partner)
• World Bank governance scores (2025, 0-100, higher is better): control of corruption 32; government effectiveness 33; political stability and absence of violence 59; rule of law 45; regulatory quality 36. (World Bank WGI)
• External debt stocks: 31.9% of GNI (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Unemployment (modelled ILO estimate): 3.2% of labour force (2025). (World Bank WDI)

Investment considerations

• Foreign direct investment, net inflows: 2.4% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Domestic credit to the private sector: 5.5% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Bank lending interest rate: 21.4% (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Trade (exports plus imports): 49.1% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• The Meridian holds 246 published records tagged to Sierra Leone. (The Meridian)

Sector snapshot

• Energy and power: access to electricity 39.2% of population (2024); renewable share of final energy consumption 71.6% (2022). (World Bank WDI)
• Mining and minerals: mineral rents 0.2% of GDP (2021); ores and metals exports 19.7% of merchandise exports (2018). (World Bank WDI)
• Financial services: foreign direct investment, net inflows 2.4% of GDP (2025); bank lending interest rate 21.4% (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Technology, media and telecoms: internet users 25.1% of population (2024); mobile subscriptions 107.9 per 100 people (2022). (World Bank WDI)
• Agriculture: agriculture, forestry and fishing, value added 29.5% of GDP (2025); employment in agriculture 44.5% of employment (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Manufacturing and industry: manufacturing, value added 7% of GDP (2024); industry (including construction), value added 25.7% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Infrastructure and real estate: urban population 45.9% of population (2025); access to electricity 39.2% of population (2024). (World Bank WDI)

Data limitations and sources

• Older data, shown with its period and not described as current: Official exchange rate (period average) (Latest published value is for 2023); Mobile subscriptions (Latest published value is for 2022); Fixed broadband subscriptions (Latest published value is for 2021); Renewable share of final energy consumption (Latest published value is for 2022); Oil rents (Latest published value is for 2021); Fuel exports (Latest published value is for 2018); Mineral rents (Latest published value is for 2021); Ores and metals exports (Latest published value is for 2018).
• IMF figures for the most recent year are IMF estimates and later years are projections. World Bank series typically lag by one to two years. Headlines come from automated news monitoring and are not verified by The Meridian.
• Sources last checked 15 Nov 2026.

Meridian transactions

• Proparco invests EUR 5 million in SOGUIPAL’s operations in Guinea
• Circle Ventures invests in CrissCross’ operations in Africa
• Shelter Afrique Development Bank launches XOF60bn sustainable bond on the WAEMU regional market
• Moussa Diao and Hervé Bouvet acquire Oryx Energies in a management buyout
• All On US$5m investment in PowerGen Renewable Energy Nigeria (convertible note)
• All On invests USD 5 million in PowerGen Renewable Energy’s operations in Nigeria

Meridian articles

• Sierra Leone business lobby seeks corporate tax cut as NRA targets NLe45bn in revenue by 2030
• Sierra Leone plans port single window by March 2027 as container volumes rise and minister seeks import curbs
• ECOWAS Convergence Council says 2027 launch of the Eco remains achievable