Freetown, 3rd November, 2025– In a year marked by global setbacks in justice and governance, Sierra Leone has emerged as a rare bright spot. The 2025 Rule of Law Index released by the World Justice Project (WJP) reveals that Sierra Leone is one of only eight African countries to improve its score, defying a global trend of decline.
While 68% of countries worldwide saw their rule of law scores drop, marking the eighth consecutive year of regression, Sierra Leone recorded a 1.4% increase, rising from 0.43 to 0.44. The country now ranks 109th out of 143 nations assessed, placing it 20th in Africa and ahead of regional peers like Guinea and Nigeria. It also holds its position among the top seven low-income countries globally for rule of law performance.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., welcomed the report as validation of the government’s reform agenda. “This progress reflects our steady investment in justice reform, anti-corruption enforcement, and access to justice,” he said. “We are building a legal system that protects rights, upholds accountability, and serves the people.”
Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, echoed the sentiment, describing the improvement as a product of deliberate policy choices. “At a time when nearly seven in ten countries are slipping, Sierra Leone is improving. That is not luck, it’s the outcome of consistent reforms and political will,” he stated.
The WJP Rule of Law Index evaluates how ordinary people experience justice, accountability, and security in their daily lives. Sierra Leone’s upward movement signals growing public confidence in institutions and a maturing democratic framework.
The country’s performance stands in contrast to the broader African picture, where 28 of 38 nations saw declines. Sierra Leone joins Senegal and Gabon among the few that posted gains, reinforcing its position as a reform-minded state in a region grappling with governance challenges.
As global rule of law continues to erode, Sierra Leone’s trajectory offers a compelling narrative: that with sustained commitment, even low-income nations can strengthen justice systems and build public trust.
