Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is entering a new phase of growth and development after a largely successful period of post-conflict reconstruction. This transition was formally marked by the closure of the UN peacebuilding mission in March 2014. The signing of a Mutual Accountability Framework by government and development partners (led by DFID on the donor side) is also an important marker of a change in the terms of international engagement. The country must now tackle a number of deeply rooted structural challenges including corruption, low capacity levels, weaknesses in the rule of law, and high levels of discrimination and social exclusion (particularly for women).

Top priorities

• improving education (especially for girls, children with disabilities and the most marginalised), water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and health services
• supporting reform and improvement of electricity services
• support to the private sector, in particular to small and medium sized enterprises and the extractives sector
• improving public financial management, revenue collection and accountability
• tackling corruption through a new and innovative Pay No Bribe programme
• improving access to security and justice
• supporting the Constitutional Review and the electoral cycle

Further resources

DFID Operational Plan for Sierra Leone
Sierra Leonepage on GOV.UK website