Sierra Leone has once again passed the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) scorecard for Fiscal Year 2025 clearing 11 out of 20 indicators (55%) and staying eligible for U.S. development support. The results show strong progress in democracy, gender equality, and public services, but also reveal serious gaps in economic freedom and environmental protection.
One of the biggest wins is in tackling corruption. Sierra Leone scored in the 74th percentile, well above the MCC average, showing that efforts to clean up public institutions and attract investment are paying off.
Sierra Leone passed all three key governance indicators:
- Political Rights: 85th percentile
- Civil Liberties: 89th percentile
- Freedom of Information: 91st percentile
These scores reflect a strong commitment to free speech, civic rights, and democratic values—making Sierra Leone a standout in the region. The country also made big strides in human development:
- Girls’ Education Completion: 94th percentile
- Education Spending: 97th percentile
- Health Spending: 72nd percentile
- Immunization Rates: 79th percentile
These numbers show that the government is prioritizing education and healthcare, especially for women and children. Sierra Leone scored high in:
- Women in the Economy: 96th percentile
- Employment Opportunity: 94th percentile
Thanks to new laws like the GEWE Act and the ban on child marriage, more women are entering the workforce and gaining economic power. But not all indicators are positive. Sierra Leone still struggles with:
- Access to Credit: 18th percentile
- Fiscal Policy: 34th percentile
- Regulatory Quality: 38th percentile
- Trade and Land Rights: 45th percentile
These low scores point to weak financial systems, limited business growth, and land access issues. Environmental and child health indicators also need urgent attention:
- Natural Resource Protection: 30th percentile
- Child Health: 23rd percentile
These gaps threaten long-term development and resilience. Sierra Leone’s sixth straight pass on the MCC scorecard is a clear sign of reform, but it’s also a wake-up call. The country is doing well in governance and social investment, but economic and environmental challenges are slowing momentum. To move forward, leaders must focus on:
- Fixing fiscal policy and credit systems
- Improving land access and trade rules
- Strengthening environmental protections and child health services
The MCC scorecard isn’t just a report. it’s a roadmap. Sierra Leone has passed the test. Now it’s time to build on that success and tackle the harder reforms ahead.
