Ernest Bai Koroma became President of Sierra Leone 2007 in the country’s first peaceful transition of power since the conclusion of its civil war in 2002. Upon taking office, Sierra Leone was the lowest-ranked country on the United Nations Human Development Index. Employing his private sector expertise, Koroma enacted a policy of economic openness by attracting foreign investment to spur job growth and to integrate Sierra Leone with the world economy in what was first known as the Agenda for Change.
The president’s reforms bore fruit, and the country’s economy surged to become the world’s fastest-growing in early 2014. However, what quickly ensued was the greatest test of the Koroma presidency, as the devastating Ebola outbreak engulfed West Africa, leading to a 24 percent contraction in Sierra Leone’s GDP by the end of that year. Koroma responded with a recovery effort supported by the international community and neighboring governments, until the country was finally declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization in March 2016. Now, with the epidemic behind it, the Koroma administration is implementing its new roadmap for development, entitled the Agenda for Prosperity, with a greater focus on infrastructure to pave the way for more economic growth and economic resilience. Sierra Leone is now back on track, with the World Bank forecasting seven percent annual growth for the medium term.
Experience:
2002-Present: Leader of the political party All People’s Congress
2005-2007: Minority leader of the Parliament of Sierra Leone
2002-2007: Member of Parliament of Sierra Leone from Bombali District
1988-2002: Managing Director of the Reliance Trust Insurance Corporation
1985-1988: Executive at the Reliance Trust Insurance Corporation
