ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — October 16, 2025.
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a new five-year Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Sierra Leone, committing $500 million to support sustainable economic growth, strengthen resilience to fragility, and promote inclusive development through 2030.
The program, approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors in Abidjan, targets two main priorities: sustainable infrastructure to enhance competitiveness, and agricultural value-chain transformation to create jobs and bolster food security. It aligns closely with Sierra Leone’s National Development Plan (2021–2025) and Vision 2030, which aim to transition the country toward middle-income status.
With a total financing envelope estimated at $2.1 billion, including co-financing from development partners, the strategy represents one of the largest multilateral commitments to Sierra Leone in recent years.
Infrastructure and Energy Expansion
Flagship infrastructure investments will expand renewable energy generation, aiming to increase national electricity access from 41% in 2024 to 60% by 2030. The program will also upgrade climate-resilient roads and improve water and sanitation systems, providing an additional 1.2 million people with safe drinking water.
“This strategy represents a bold step toward building a resilient and inclusive economy in Sierra Leone,” said Halima Hashi, AfDB Country Manager for Sierra Leone. “By investing in sustainable infrastructure and agriculture, we are empowering communities, creating jobs, and supporting Sierra Leone’s vision for transformative growth.”
Agricultural Transformation
The agricultural component aims to reduce food import dependency, currently about 70% for staple crops like rice, by promoting agro-industrial transformation and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Bank expects to create over 500,000 jobs, particularly for women and youth, through value-chain development and access to finance.
Initiatives such as AFAWA (Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa) will extend credit and training to women-led agribusinesses. In parallel, digital tools will improve supply chain transparency and market access across rural communities.
Building Resilience and Climate Adaptation
Sierra Leone’s economy has shown encouraging resilience, with real GDP growth averaging 6.7% from 2020 to 2024, driven by agriculture and services. The CSP builds on this momentum while integrating climate change mitigation, gender equality, and youth empowerment as cross-cutting priorities.
The plan supports Sierra Leone’s commitments under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by improving trade corridors, logistics infrastructure, and regional market linkages. Renewable energy and climate-smart agriculture will also help reduce emissions and mitigate the impact of floods and droughts — key vulnerabilities identified in the country’s Environmental Protection Act of 2022.
Implementation and Monitoring
Implementation begins immediately, with coordination between government ministries, civil society, and the private sector. The Bank will use environmental and social safeguards and a monitoring framework to track measurable development outcomes and gender-inclusive results.
The new CSP also reinforces the AfDB’s Ten-Year Strategy and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, positioning Sierra Leone’s recovery as a model for resilience-led growth in fragile contexts.
Sources:
African Development Bank Group (AfDB) Sierra Leone Vision 2030 Framework AfDB Country Strategy Papers
