The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a new Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Sierra Leone (2025–2030), committing $500 million over the next five years to drive inclusive growth, strengthen economic resilience, and promote sustainable development.
According to a statement by the Bank, the strategy focuses on two main priorities — developing sustainable infrastructure to enhance private sector competitiveness and supporting agricultural value-chain development to create jobs and improve food security.
The CSP, with an estimated $2.1 billion in total financing including co-funding from development partners, aligns with Sierra Leone’s National Development Plan (2021–2025) and Vision 2030, which aim to position the country as a middle-income economy.
Under the plan, flagship infrastructure projects will expand renewable energy generation, increase electricity access from 41% in 2024 to 60% by 2030, and upgrade climate-resilient roads, water, and sanitation systems to provide clean water for 1.2 million more people.
In agriculture, the strategy targets agro-industrial transformation to cut food import dependence—currently about 70% for staples like rice—while creating over 500,000 jobs, particularly for women and youth through support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
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Sierra Leone’s economy has shown strong recovery, with average GDP growth of 6.7% between 2020 and 2024, driven largely by the agriculture and services sectors. The new CSP builds on this progress and the Bank’s ongoing portfolio of 10 projects worth $150 million, which have already improved energy access and road connectivity.
“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 plan also integrates the Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) to support women-led agribusinesses with finance and training, while digital tools will enhance supply chain efficiency and market access.
Aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the AfCFTA framework, and AfDB’s Ten-Year Strategy, the CSP includes cross-cutting themes such as climate change mitigation, gender equality, and youth empowerment. It emphasizes renewable energy and climate-smart agriculture to reduce Sierra Leone’s carbon footprint and vulnerability to floods and droughts.
Implementation will begin immediately in partnership with the government, private sector, and civil society, ensuring alignment with national priorities and compliance with the 2022 Environmental Protection Act.
Through this strategy, AfDB aims to address structural challenges and track measurable outcomes to support Sierra Leone’s vision of a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy.
