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•City of Freetown

• President Julius Maada Bio... Independence is not just about freedom, but love and unity

• Minister of Finance, Sheku Fantamadi Bangura... 

Maintaining economic stability

•President Bio observing locally produced onions to achieve food sufficiency

•Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Kpaka harvesting local rice to boost food soveregnty

• DG SLPHA, Yankuba Bio, Sustaining reforms at the Ports, the Gate-way to the economy

•DG NPRA  Brima Baluwa Koroma, maintaining fuel   availability and price stability, through liberalizing the down-stream sector

•Air Sierra Leone now making impacts

• Freetown peninsula, dotted with white sandy beaches

•Regular supply and price stability of petroleum products

Sierra Leone At 64

Giant Strides, Despite Challenges

Abubakar Hashim /Freetown

Africa and the World at large celebrated with Sierra Leone as it clocked 64 on April 27, 2025.  Among these countries is Nigeria, which has over 200 years of mutually beneficial relationship, even before both countries gained Independence from Britain. 64 hearty cheers to the “Athens of Africa”, a phrase culled from the country’s foundational status, through its landmark centre of learning that produced the best brains in Africa- Fourah Bay College fbc

As Sierra Leone celebrated its 64th Independence Anniversary on April 27, 2025, the country, Africa and the world were in an upbeat mood, despite current existential local and global challenges.

Sierra Leone is a survivor of numerous catastrophes.  A devastating 11 year-old civil war, an Ebola scourge, a devastating mudslide, COVID-19 pandemic. Scores of people died, and millions of properties were destroyed. In all these traumas and catastrophes, the country emerged strong and roaring like a lion.  Overcoming all these disasters, to many well-wishers, is one of the greatest anniversary presents to Sierra Leone at 64!

Giant Strides, Despite Challenges

Why Sierra Leone called “Athens of Africa”

Sierra Leone remains a jewel in West Africa due to its abundant mineral resources, peopled with men and women of high intellectual pedigree. Despite severe challenges in the past, there are giant strides hereby chronicled for better understanding of a country once refered as the ‘‘Athens of Africa‘‘.

The genesis of the giant strides of Sierra Leone emanates from the country’s foundational structure as the educational nerve centre of Africa’s intellectuals.

Sierra Leone got the tag, “Athens of Africa”, through Fourah Bay College FBC, that was the bed-rock of learning for Africa’s intelligentsia.

Founded in 1827 by the Catholic Missionary Society, CMS, the College produced the first crop of Africa’s intellectuals in the civil service and academia.  Located in the ancient and sprawling city of Freetown, it has also produced the best brains in Africa and beyond.

Prominent personalities like Samuel Ajayi Crowther, First Black African Anglican Bishop; Jomo Kenyatta, First President of Kenya; Adekunle Ajasin, First Civilian Governor of Ondo State in Nigeria; Dr. Aper Aku, First Civilian Governor of Benue State in Nigeria; Prof. Tam David-West, former Nigeria Minister of Petroleum Resources; and many others, schooled at FBC. The legendary legacy of FBC to Africa’s intelligentsia bequeathed the tag, “Athens of Africa,” culled from the city of Athens in Greece, the genesis of learning in the world.

Overcoming the 11 Year Old War

Overcoming the war was a major significant stride the country achieved to regain it’s past glory as the ‘‘ Athens of Africa‘‘.

The late President Ahmed Tegan Kabbah, officially, declared an end of the war in 2002. Overcoming the 11 year old war is a significant stride and achievement of Sierra Leone. Nigeria-led ECOMOG was in the forefront in liberating freetown and other provional regions. Right from 1997 when Kabbah was overthrown and fled into exile in neighbouring Guinea, Nigeria aided Sierra Leonean  troops to contain the rebels.

When the war had lightened, through the collaboration of Sierra Leone soldiers and the rebels, who constituted the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council AFRC, that overthrew late Kabbah, Nigeria, Guinea in particular, with Ghana and few other  West African countries, committed troops, that reversed the coup and restored Kabbah back to power, under the command of late General Maxwell Khobe.

Overcoming the 11 year old war, to maintain peace and stability, is, indeed, a significant stride in Sierra Leone at 64.

The Economy as the Country clocked 64

Like other African countries, the current state of the economy is hinged on the IMF and World Bank, along with other multilateral development partners’ assessment and review frameworks.  There have been consistent policy discussions with the IMF and other development agencies’ review teams in Freetown on the state of the economy.

The economy, like other African countries, is tied to the Extended Credit Facility ECF program, a fund that provides financial assistance to countries with protracted balance of payment deficits.

The policy discussions also snowballed into a consensus to stimulate measures to support macro-economic stability, fiscal and debt sustainability, stronger governance and improved social outcomes.

At 64, Sierra Leone’s economy, like other countries in Africa and the world at large, is affected by the global disruptions in the supply chains.  Since independence from Britain in 1961, the country has been, overwhelmingly, an import-oriented country.

The Bio–led administration is gradually shifting away from being solely import-dominated, onto an inward-looking economy, particularly in Agriculture and value addition on local produce.  The “Feed Salone” program, through local production of rice, onions, others, onto processing of iron ore into iron rods, nails, others. So far, the Bio government, since it assumed power in 2018 to date, has established up to 30 semi-processed industries in the country.

The economy is currently been further boosted by on going reforms at the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority SLPHA, whose DG Yankuba Bio, has introduced new reforms at the Ports. SLPHA now wears a new look, goods are now cleared on time, importers and exporters now operate with ease at the Ports. The same goes to Freetown International Airport, with a new look and operations, resulting from a build, operate and transfer BOT agreement with a Turkish firm, SUMA, for a 25 year period.

Feed Salone

Sierra Leone, like other African countries, is largely dominated by imported goods and services.  But current  trend indicates an inward-looking strategy, particularly in food production to attain self-sufficiency and food sovereignty.

 A program called ‘’Feed Salone’’ was launched about a few years ago. It is an offshoot of  a 5 year National development Transformation program NAT, 2018 – 2023, prioritizing  agriculture.

 Feed Salone in strenghtened by the personal commitment  of President Bio, fortified and guided by a strong Presidential council and executed  by the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and food security.

The overall objective is to boost agricultural productivity, achieve food security and inclusive economic growth, by changing the perception of attitudes of farmers and provide incentives for them to undertake agriculture as a business, from agriculture to agribusiness.

Today, Sierra Leone has drastically reduced importation of rice, onions and allied food intakes.

As at March 2024, feed salone program has targeted small holders farmers, commenced 20,000 hectares of rice production in all the 6 agro ecological zones in the country, namely Tormabum in Bonthe District, Rhombe - Mambolo in Port Loko and Kambia, Gbondapi in Pujehun, Komrabai in Mamila, Senehun in Mayamba and Rolako in Bombali District.

Despite challenges in these zones, the country has realized significant strides in food production and sufficiency.

According to statistics Sierra Leone, inflation dropped sharply in March 2025, falling to 10.71% from 13.09 % in February, a 2.38% decrease. Three of Sierra Leone’s five regions now report single- digit inflation: East - 7.78%, North West - 9.04%, South - 7.43%.

Director-General, National Petroleum Regulatory Authority NPRA,  Brima Baluwa Koroma, has maintain petroleum products supply and price stability in the economy, by liberalising the down- stream sector. The market is now open with more marketers on board. This is a significant stride as Sierra Leone clocked 64.

 The main challenge with the economy, as in other African countries, is the distribution of wealth and capital.  As late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah once revealed to me in an exclusive interview at State House on the first anniversary of his first term in office in 1997, just 2 weeks before Johnny Paul’s coup, that took Kabbah to exile in neighbouring Guinea, “-the vast majority of Sierra Leoneans are a mass of starving illiterates, men, women and children, plunged for decades, in the most appalling obscurity”.

The obscurity of the people is the most formidable challenge for President Bio.  Various skill learning ventures of engagements for the youths are currently springing up nationwide, like car wash, gara dying, carpentry, tailoring, etc.

President Bio, in an exclusive interview with me on our September, 2020 Cover Edition: Economic Strides, Despite COVID – 19, revealed that despite economic gains during this period, income inequality is a major challenge, but was quick to add that “——I’m aware and equal to the task of bridging the inequality gap through my social intervention programs”.

Among such intervention programs, especially during COVID-19, is the “Quick Action Economic Response Program”, QAERP, a program, championed by the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with key economic players in the management space like the Central Bank of Sierra Leone and the National Revenue Authority, to alleviate tremendously, the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and its citizens, restore macro-economic stability, thereby reducing the shocks on businesses and households.

Overcoming CoviD – 19

Despite severe global challenges posed by Covid-19, Sierra Leone came up with strategies to overcome its catastrophic impact to  its economy.

It was called Quick Action Economic Response Program QAERP.

Even before the first Covid came on 31 March, 2020, the Sierra Leone government had initiated steps, nationwide, to prevent importation  of Covid-19 from neighbouring  Guinea and Liberia, where COVID first struck and  to reduce its expected impact on the people of Sierra Leone.

The two approaches were called Quick Action Economic Response Program QAERP and Health Response Sector Program HRSP. These two strategies, significally helped to maintain economic stability and increased COVID recovery record. Sierra Leone was among top countries in West Africa to achieve this stride.

Current President Trump’s Tariff and its impacts on economic stability in Sierra Leone at 64

As the country clocked 64, the US President, Donald Trump, a few days ago, imposed a sweeping 10% baseline tariffs on all African goods, including those from Sierra Leone, into US market.  Sierra Leone’s exports to the US include mainly Diamond, Iron Ore, Ginger, Cashew nuts and Cocoa.  The US imposed a 10% tariff on goods from Sierra Leone, despite a $90 million trade surplus in favour of the US as at 2024.  Trade records show $29 million in exports to the US and $199 million in US imports.

Though Trump’s tariffs could lead to global trade contracts, as revealed by the International Monetary Fund IMF and the World Trade Organisation WTO, it is a huge opportunity for Sierra Leone and other African countries to diversify exports and look inward to grow local production capacity.

The Bio-led government had long commenced inward–looking production programs like the “Feed Salone” agricultural program and semi processed industries, that have received commendations at international fora, like the International  Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA in Nigeria. There will be minimal impact of Trump’s tariffs on the economy of Sierra Leone as local productivity has been boosted, and export diversification strategies ongoing.

Launching of Air Sierra Leone

Air Sierra Leone was recently launched, with direct flights to Lagos and London.

So far, it has sucessfully been operational, departing and arriving on schedule. This development is a significant stride as the country clocked 64 few days ago.

Religious Tolerance in Sierra Leone

At 64, the country still enjoys religious harmony through intermarriages.  Muslims marry Christians and live together harmoniously.  At weddings, couples enter mosques and churches, hitch- free, a far-cry from other African countries with religious crises.

Former President, Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, once remarked that “religious tolerance in Sierra Leone is an exportable commodity to other African countries where there are religious strifes.”

Topographical Beauty

Sierra Leone is a tourist’s delight. Freetown is a peninsula, dotted with white sandy beaches, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The hill sides and the mountainous views are second to none in West Africa.

These strides, of Sierra Leone being the foundational educational centre of Africa, the political capital of West Africa, ending the war by maintaining peace, defeating Ebola and COVID-19, stablizing the economy, sanitizing the sea ports, airports and commencement of Air Sierra Leone, among others, are, indeed, a befitting anniversary present to Sierra Leone as it clocked 64, despite existential local and international challenges.

 

Independence Is Not Just About Our Freedom, But Lifting Our Country – President Julius Maada Bio

• President Julius Maada Bio... urged everyone to rekindle the flame of hope and determination

Sunday, 27 April 2025, Sierra Leone celebrated its 64th independence anniversary. Sir Milton Margai led Sierra Leone to independence from Great Britain and became the country’s first Prime Minister. Sierra Leone had its own parliament and its own Prime Minister, and had the ability to make its own laws.

President Julius Maada Bio, in an address to his country’s citizens, challenged their imagination, saying, “Today, as we commemorate the 64th anniversary of our country’s independence, it is remarkable how as a people we have continuously demonstrated this legacy of resilience and self-determination in addressing national issues. The spirit of independence is not just about our freedom; it is about taking responsibility in lifting our country and ensuring that no one is left behind in the nation’s development…”

His speech is published below:

Full Transcript: Independence Day Broadcast by His Excellency, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, on Sunday, 27th April 2025

My Fellow Sierra Leoneans;

It has been sixty-four years since our forbearers courageously led our beloved country to the shores of freedom and self-determination. They envisioned a Sierra Leone where every citizen could thrive in unity, freedom and justice.

Today, as we commemorate the 64th anniversary of our country’s independence, it is remarkable how, as a people, we have continuously demonstrated this legacy of resilience and self-determination in addressing national issues.

The spirit of independence is not just about our freedom; it is about taking responsibility in lifting our country and ensuring that no one is left behind in the nation’s development.

Fellow Citizens;

In my address to the nation in 2022, I revealed the tremendous achievements that my government recorded in the education, health and infrastructure sectors despite the stifling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic meltdown.

Again in 2023, despite the disruption of governance by some of our compatriots, we remained committed and resolute in implementing the ambitious Feed Salone project, aimed at food self-sufficiency and economic growth.

This culminated in increased budgetary support to Agriculture and mobilised donor funding worth over One Hundred and Thirty-Six Million dollars.

Similarly, in 2024, in the aftermath of a global economic meltdown, our country was hard hit by high inflation rate, food prices and persistent energy shortages.

Yet again, my government swiftly geared up to these challenges and embarked on short-term programs to cushion the prevailing effects on citizens, while still pursuing the Feed Salone initiative.

I am recalling the challenges of our recent past not to dampen our spirits. I do so to bring to mind that through our shared commitments, and in pursuit of our country’s development agenda, we have over and over again displayed the legacy of resilience and self-determination.

As your President, I sincerely appreciate your diverse support and contributions through these trying times. I am proud of your immense courage and determination to foster the peace and harmony of this great nation.

My Dear Compatriots;

This year, as we recount our past, I am delighted that our resilience is gradually paying off. The Feed Salone initiative is gaining momentum by moving from vision to creating impacts.

This year, a One Hundred and Five Million United States dollars’ worth Livestock Development Project will begin its operations in Sierra Leone. This will deliver new ranches, veterinary services, hatcheries, and feed systems to improve the meat and poultry supply.

Another Forty-Five Million United States dollars’ worth of Cassava Value Chain Development Project is nearing finalisation. This aims at boosting cassava processing capacity and transforming cassava from a subsistence crop into a viable commercial commodity.

Work is currently ongoing to develop 4,500 hectares of irrigation to ensure year-round rice farming, in high-potential areas.

I am also pleased to report that the economy is gradually stabilising. The economy is projected to grow at 4%; primarily supported by increased agriculture and mining Initiatives.

Inflation has been decreasing steadily throughout 2024, and the latest figure now stands at 10.7% as of March 2025.

The exchange rate has also been relatively stable. The Leone has appreciated by 0.13%; creating increased confidence in our economy.

In addition to the Petroleum Pricing Formula, my government has recently introduced new pricing formulae for rice and cement to stabilise the market and ensure fair and affordable prices for consumers.

We remain committed and hopeful of creating an inclusive economic environment that empowers every Sierra Leonean.

Fellow Sierra Leoneans,

Being mindful that reliable energy remains a critical challenge facing our nation today, my government has embarked on addressing key structural and systemic problems that have for decades hindered the progress of this sector.

These corrective measures will take time to yield results. But sooner than later, we will move our country from stopgaps to a reliable energy supply source. Several transformational energy projects are currently ongoing to realise this dream.

We have completed repairs on the Kingtom power plant, and that of Blackhall Road is ongoing. These combined will add twenty-five megawatts to the national grid.

We have launched the Nant Energy Generation project, which aims at providing 120 megawatts of power and the RESPITE project, which will bring an additional forty megawatts of solar energy into the national grid.

As a result of my persistent engagements with our international partners, I am optimistic about the Mission 300 project. This is an Africa-led initiative aimed at providing electricity access to three hundred million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. Sierra Leone is one of the beneficiaries of this project.

In our rural electrification drive, we will continue to expand our solar installations in additional rural towns through a fifty-million European Union-led project.

My Fellow Countrymen and Women;

I crave your indulgence and patience on this matter. I am aware that the current energy output is below the required supply; but I remain confident that once these projects are completed, we will transform the energy landscape of our beloved country for the better.

In the near future, I want to celebrate an independence anniversary on an electricity supply that is truly our own and reliable.

We might not have realised all the goals that we would have wanted to achieve, but we need not be despondent; we can only hope for a better future.

In the health sector, we are building systems that are stronger, smarter, and more capable of saving lives. Sierra Leone is no longer a knee-jerk response to situations.

The most striking evidence of this progress is shown in the maternal and child health outcomes. Maternal mortality has declined drastically from 1,165 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2013, and now stands at 354 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Child mortality, once the highest in the world, has been cut by half. It has fallen from 220 per 1,000 live births in 2001 to 105 per 1,000 live births in 2021; and it is projected to have further declined since then.

At the heart of all these gains is a sustained investment in the foundation of our healthcare systems. Across the country, health infrastructure is being strengthened to support better care, faster response, and greater resilience.

Over 230 health facilities have been equipped with solar systems, ensuring reliable energy. Major hospitals, including Connaught, PCMH, and Kenema Government Hospital, have received substantial upgrades to the theatres, wards, and maternity units.

Fellow Sierra Leoneans;

You are aware that our country has recently recorded pockets of monkeypox cases in some parts of our country, but mostly in the Western Area.

Although our healthcare systems have robustly responded and contained this outbreak, I will implore all Sierra Leoneans to remain vigilant and cooperate with our medical staff to eliminate this disease.

As we commemorate this anniversary, we must also remain conscious of our environment and be our neighbour’s keeper. The recent spate of fire outbreaks in public and private buildings is a call for concern.

Following the outbreak of fire at State House, the Hon. Vice President in my absence put together a cross-sectoral team to assess and investigate the situation and produce recommendations.

While we await that report, I wish to admonish everyone that we should be mindful of the integrity of the electrical gadgets we install in both private and public buildings.

We must be watchful of the activities of others around us and take responsibility to mitigate combustions or any activity that may put lives and properties in harm’s way.

As we commemorate another independence day, let us continue to honour our achievements; they are our sources of hope and strength in facing our challenges.

Let us also extend our well-wishes to our neighbours and support those around us that we may consider less fortunate.

Independence is not just about freedom; it is also about love and unity.

Let us stand together as one nation, united in love, and driven by purpose of a shared vision, of a progressive and developed Sierra Leone.

Let us be mindful that the journey ahead of us, requires our sustained courage, commitment, and collaboration. Our strength lies in our ability to embrace our differences while fostering the common ideas that bind us together.

I urge everyone to rekindle this flame of hope and determination, in building the future of the land that we love – Sierra Leone.

Happy Independence Day. May God bless Sierra Leone.