Freetown, 18th August 2025 -After years of relentless price hikes that battered household budgets, Sierra Leone’s inflation has taken a dramatic and welcome plunge. Official figures show year-on-year inflation falling to 7.1% in June 2025, its lowest level since early 2022. This marks a sharp reversal from the economic storm of mid-2023, when inflation for all items surged past 50%, driven largely by runaway food prices that pushed many families to the brink.
The data paints a clear three-act story: a steady climb throughout 2022, a crushing peak in mid-to-late 2023, and an almost uninterrupted decline from early 2024 to today. Food and non-alcoholic beverages once the fiercest driver of inflation have cooled the most, offering some relief to market shoppers. Non-food items have also eased, signalling broader stability across the economy.
Economists attribute the turnaround to tighter monetary policies, more stable exchange rates, improved domestic supply chains and calmer global commodity markets. However, they warn that maintaining single-digit inflation will not be easy. The gains remain vulnerable to shocks such as fuel price hikes, currency volatility, or fiscal missteps.
For now, from Freetown’s bustling markets to the trading hubs of Bo, Sierra Leoneans are finding their Leones stretch further. It’s a rare piece of economic good news a sign that the fever of high inflation has broken. But whether this recovery becomes a lasting chapter or a temporary relief will depend on the country’s ability to hold the line against future pressures.
