Economic growth of LDCs depends decisively on the volume of foreign currency avaliable to them. Apart from financial aid, such currencies can only be earned by exports. However, almost 90 p.c. of all export revenue of LDCs flows from shipments of raw and base materials, and thus, increasing...

In spite of its importance for the economy, trade in developing countries has been falling short of the attention it deserves in discussions about development policies. It is all the more necessary, therefore, henceforth to make the very existence, and the increasing use, of trade consulting...

Like other fragile sub-Saharan African countries, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone are seeking to harness their natural resource potential in the context of ambitious development strategies. This study investigates options for scaling up public investment and expanding social...

KEY ISSUES Background. The Ebola outbreak that started in one district in late May has spread to the entire country, overwhelming already weak institutions and ill-equipped medical facilities. At end-August, over 1000 people were infected and more than a third had died from the disease. The...

The discussions took place in Freetown during March 29–April 11, 2012; and in Washington (April 21–24, 2012). They focused on conditions for completing the fourth ECF review, corrective measures to be implemented to address fiscal slippages that had occurred in late 2011, and policies...

This 2013 Article IV Consultation highlights that Sierra Leone has made significant progress in macroeconomic stabilization over the last five years. Real GDP growth averaged some 7 percent, driven by output expansion in agriculture, mining, and services; as well as the scaling-up of...

This paper discusses Sierra Leone’s First Review Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement, Request for Modification of Performance Criteria (PC), and Financing Assurances Review. Program performance has been strong. All PCs were met with comfortable margins, and all indicative...

KEY ISSUES The Ebola outbreak and sharp drop in iron ore prices have dealt a severe blow to Sierra Leone’s economy. The Ebola epidemic, which continues to spread albeit at a lower rate than in latter parts of 2014, has exacted a heavy human toll (at least 3000 lives to date) and disrupted...

The first of three books in IFPRI’s climate change in Africa series, West African Agriculture and Climate Change: A Comprehensive Analysis examines the food security threats facing 11 of the countries that make up West Africa – Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia,...