Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is a West African country bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the south-east and the Atlantic Ocean to the south-west. The capital and largest city is Freetown, a major port situated on the Atlantic coast. With a population of approximately eight-million people, Sierra Leone has an economy historically dependent on mining, particularly diamonds, iron ore, bauxite and rutile, alongside agriculture including cocoa, coffee and palm oil. The country uses the leone as its currency and operates as a constitutional republic with a multi-party democratic system. Sierra Leone is a member of the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union, participating in regional integration and free movement protocols. The economy has faced significant challenges including the devastating civil war from 1991 to 2002, the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak and ongoing infrastructure deficits, though mining and agriculture remain central to export earnings and employment. Remittances from the Sierra Leonean diaspora, particularly from workers in the United States, United Kingdom and other West African countries, contribute meaningfully to household incomes and foreign exchange. The government has prioritised human capital development, skills training and labour mobility as part of its economic recovery and diversification strategy. Sierra Leone's strategic location on the Atlantic coast and its natural resource endowment position it as a potential hub for trade and investment in the Mano River Union sub-region.
Sierra Leone Updates
DRC’s Ebola outbreak has the potential to become a global pandemic. How to make sure it doesn’t
9th September 2026 Given its speed, scale and scope, the Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease that broke out in the Democratic Republic of Congo in mid-2026 could become a... →
Daily Podcast – September 02, 2026
By: Thabi Shomolekae 2nd September 2026 Making headlines: IEC records 43% surge in candidates for Nov elections; Dirco clears High Commissioner Sooklal of suspicion of facilitating... →
Congo's Ebola outbreak kills more than 3 000, government figures show
By: Reuters 2nd September 2026 The number of deaths in Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak has surpassed 3 000, government data showed on Wednesday, as the country's... →
Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo becomes deadliest in country's history
By: Reuters 17th August 2026 The Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 2 325 people, government data showed on Sunday, surpassing the toll from the... →
Ebola deaths surpass 2 000 in Democratic Republic of Congo
By: Reuters 11th August 2026 Democratic Republic of Congo said on Tuesday that confirmed Ebola deaths had reached 2 011, the latest grim milestone in what health officials have... →
Congo's Ebola outbreak surpasses 4 000 cases
By: Reuters 7th August 2026 Democratic Republic of Congo's confirmed Ebola cases have risen above 4 000 for the first time in the current outbreak, government data showed. The... →
Congo's Ebola outbreak now second largest on record, data shows
By: Reuters 31st July 2026 Democratic Republic of Congo's fast-spreading Ebola outbreak is now the world's second-largest on record, government data showed on Friday, as... →
West African bloc calls for Guinea-Bissau opposition leader's release
By: Reuters 21st July 2026 The West African bloc ECOWAS urged Guinea-Bissau's military-led government to unconditionally release all detained political figures, including... →
Can Cameroon reclaim its maritime flag after shadow fleet abuse?
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 26th June 2026 Reforms are welcome, but technological and capacity gaps still leave Cameroon vulnerable to high-risk parallel maritime networks. Cameroon has... →
New maritime task force puts Gulf of Guinea unity to the test
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 25th June 2026 The Combined Maritime Task Force takes aim at piracy and other crimes affecting 26 diverse countries from Senegal to Angola. A new rapid response... →
