About NIB

Sierra Leone at a glance

Sierra Leone sits on the Atlantic coast of West Africa between Guinea and Liberia. It has the largest natural deep-water harbour in Africa, a young population, fertile land and a long coastline.

The harbour has made the country a trading point for centuries and still gives it a direct sea route to markets in Europe and the Americas. Freetown, the capital, is also its commercial centre.

Away from the port, the country offers beaches, historic sites and protected forests, which are the basis of its tourism sector.

Economy

about $8 billion gross domestic product
$857 GDP per person
5.3% annual GDP growth
15.41% average inflation

People

8.82 million population
19.7 years median age
2.2% population growth rate
45.5% / 54.5% urban / rural

Agriculture

5.4 million ha arable land
2,945 mm average annual rainfall
1,500+ hours average annual sunshine
9 major rivers with irrigation potential

Tourism and nature

402 km of coastline
350 km of white sand beaches
15 protected natural areas
626 bird species recorded

Minerals

  • Diamonds, iron ore, titanium, bauxite and gold
  • The world's third largest iron ore deposit and fifth largest rutile deposit
  • Largest exports by value: iron ore ($490.9 million), titanium ($221 million) and diamonds ($101 million)

Stability

  • Six democratically elected governments since 1996
  • A non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2024 to 2025
  • Religious tolerance: 77% of the population is Muslim and 22% Christian

Figures are those published by NIB. Where a figure has a year, it reflects the most recent data available when NIB published it.

Where Sierra Leone is, and how it connects to its markets.Location and geography