Amongst the poorest of DFID’s priority countries, Sierra Leone has made remarkable progress on peace and stability after a painful history of conflict and disease, taking significant strides to tackle its many human and development challenges. Sierra Leone has a stable political environment with successful transfers of power in recent years, and the government has made commitments to improve human capital development and diversify the economy. There remain huge challenges to securing sustainable development in Sierra Leone, which is vulnerable to climate risks, has a small, weak economy, and a rapidly-growing population posing threats to stability. Life expectancy is amongst the lowest in the world; maternal mortality the highest. There is stark gender inequality, and a substantial rural-urban divide. Government institutions, systems and capacities are developing but still weak.

The UK is the largest bilateral development partner in the country. DFID programming is framed around investing in the drivers and enablers of a stable demographic transition, helping Sierra Leone both to manage the challenges of providing for a growing population and preparing to harness its potential. The portfolio is built around three key areas:

• Enhancing human capital through increasingly equitable access to quality health and education.

• Further strengthening governance: institutions, revenue, public financial management, accountability.

• Stimulating investment for economic diversification, resilient growth and job creation.

This approach will help manage the risk of population growth eroding human development outcomes, contributing to instability, and pushing transition further away. By combining work to deliver services, build systems and shape and deliver policy reform in priority areas, it should also accelerate Sierra Leone’s development trajectory to deliver progress in human development outcomes and consolidate stability, underpinned by stronger institutions and a more resilient economy that allows Sierra Leone to begin the process of reducing its dependence on aid.