A republic since its independence from British rule in 1961, Sierra Leone’s history has been defined both by its challenges and by its resilience. Today, its future is being defined by its abundant mineral resources, young population, and business-friendly government, coupled with its religious tolerance, decade-long stability and advancement in good governance.
The country’s President, Ernest Bai Koroma, came into office just five years after the conclusion of a deadly civil war. At the time, foreign investment in the country was almost nil and the country was placed bottom of the United Nations Human Development Index. The Koroma Administration instituted key economic reforms which included opening growth sectors to foreign investment, lifting business restrictions, and providing tax incentives for foreign investors. Ten years on, President Koroma has announced he will leave office in 2018 after democratic elections choose his successor. A growing civil society, stable press freedom laws, and a multi-party dialogue has underscored Sierra Leone’s democratic consolidation.
