By Ayomide Otitoju
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a new Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Sierra Leone for 2025–2030, committing approximately $500 million to drive sustainable economic growth, strengthen resilience, and promote inclusive development.
The five-year strategy focuses on two core priorities — developing sustainable infrastructure to enhance private sector competitiveness and supporting agricultural value-chain development to create jobs and improve food security. Together, these initiatives aim to close key infrastructure gaps, increase private sector participation, and reduce the country’s vulnerability to climate change.
With a projected total financing package of $2.1 billion, including contributions from development partners, the CSP aligns with Sierra Leone’s National Development Plan (2021–2025) and Vision 2030, which seek to position the nation as a middle-income economy.
Under the plan, flagship infrastructure projects will expand renewable energy generation, raise electricity access from 41% in 2024 to 60% by 2030, and strengthen climate-resilient road networks. The programme will also improve water and sanitation systems, providing an additional 1.2 million people with access to safe drinking water.
The agricultural component targets agro-industrial transformation to reduce food import dependency—currently at 70% for staple crops such as rice—while creating over 500,000 jobs, particularly for women and youth, through support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Sierra Leone’s economy has shown resilience, with real GDP growth averaging 6.7% between 2020 and 2024, driven largely by agriculture and services. The new strategy builds on this momentum and leverages the Bank’s existing portfolio of 10 ongoing projects worth $150 million, which have already improved road connectivity and energy access nationwide.
“This strategy represents a bold step toward building a resilient and inclusive economy in Sierra Leone. By investing in sustainable infrastructure and agriculture, we are empowering communities, creating jobs, and supporting Sierra Leone’s vision for transformative growth,” said Halima Hashi, AfDB Country Manager for Sierra Leone.
The CSP also integrates programmes such as the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA), which will provide targeted financing and capacity-building for women-led agribusinesses. Digital innovations will further enhance supply chain efficiency and market access across the agricultural sector.
Aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the AfCFTA, and the AfDB’s Ten-Year Strategy, the CSP embeds cross-cutting themes such as climate action, gender equality, and youth empowerment. It aims to reduce Sierra Leone’s carbon footprint through renewable energy investments and promote climate-smart agriculture to mitigate flood and drought risks.
Implementation begins immediately, in collaboration with the government, private sector, and civil society, ensuring alignment with national priorities and compliance with the Environmental Protection Act of 2022. Monitoring frameworks will track progress toward measurable outcomes, including gender-inclusive and climate-resilient development results.
