By Hassan Osman Kargbo
In a major boost to Sierra Leone’s economic outlook, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, has announced a significant drop in the country’s inflation rate, from 13.09 percent in February to 10.71 percent in March 2025, representing a 2.38 percent month-on-month decrease.
The announcement, made during a press briefing on Tuesday 22 April 2025 at the Miatta Conference Hall in Freetown, reflects what Minister Bah described as a “remarkable turnaround” from the country’s economic situation just a year ago, when inflation peaked at an alarming 54 percent in March 2024.
“This is a clear demonstration that our economic recovery strategy is working,” the minister said. “The consistent reduction in inflation is a direct result of prudent fiscal policies, tighter monetary measures, and better coordination within the government’s economic team.”
He went on to attribute the recent gains to a combination of structural reforms, improved public financial management, and enhanced revenue mobilization efforts, all led under the guidance of President Julius Maada Bio’s administration.
“Our goal remains steadfast—achieving a single-digit inflation rate, and we are making real progress towards that goal,” Bah said. “We understand the impact inflation has on ordinary Sierra Leoneans, especially in terms of food prices and purchasing power, and that is why we are not letting up in our reform agenda.”
The minister’s announcement was welcomed by economists and financial analysts, who noted that the downward trend in inflation could ease the pressure on consumers, attract investor confidence, and create a more stable environment for business operations.
Sierra Leone has been grappling with economic challenges exacerbated by global factors such as supply chain disruptions, currency depreciation, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Domestically, rising fuel prices and food insecurity had worsened inflationary pressures throughout much of 2023 and early 2024.
However, according to the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, targeted government interventions—including subsidies on essential commodities, tighter control over government spending, and collaboration with the Bank of Sierra Leone on interest rate policies—have begun to yield positive results.
“Inflation is a key indicator of economic health, and bringing it down is a major achievement,” said Mrs. Mariama Sesay, a civil society activist “If this trend continues, we could see increased investor confidence and a gradual improvement in household living standards.”
The government is also working closely with international partners, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, to maintain macroeconomic stability and support growth initiatives in key sectors such as agriculture, energy, and infrastructure.
Despite the encouraging news, minister Bah acknowledged that challenges remain. “There is still much to do to ensure that these gains are felt by every Sierra Leonean, especially those in rural areas,” he said. “We must remain vigilant and continue to implement policies that are inclusive, sustainable, and transparent.”
As the country heads into the second quarter of 2025, the ministry has expressed cautious optimism that with continued discipline and public support, Sierra Leone could reach single-digit inflation by the end of the year—ushering in a new era of economic stability.
