By zainab.joaque@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – Sierra Leone’s month-on-month inflation figures for February 2025 reveal a dramatic reversal in food prices and worrying spikes in transport costs, painting a complex picture of the country’s economic landscape.
After January’s decline, basic necessities staged a strong comeback:
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages (40.3% of consumer spending) swung from -0.72% to +0.51%
- Alcohol and tobacco prices improved significantly, narrowing their decline from -1.96% to -0.18%
Market analysts attribute this rebound to supply chain disruptions during the rainy season and increased demand ahead of Ramadan.
Commuters faced steeper costs as:
- Transport inflation skyrocketed 2.26 percentage points to 2.79%
- The surge follows January’s 0.53% increase, reflecting rising fuel prices
“This transport inflation threatens to undo recent economic gains,” warned Dr. Samuel Bangura of the Sierra Leone Economic Policy Institute. “It creates ripple effects across all sectors.”
The report revealed striking variations:
Sharp Increases
- Healthcare: Swung from -0.94% to +0.90%
- Household goods: Jumped from 1.44% to 2.42%
- Restaurants/Hotels: Rose to 1.44%
Notable Declines
- Housing utilities fell from 1.26% to 0.20%
- Communication services dropped to 0.48%
The mixed data presents challenges for policymakers:
- Food price rebound may strain household budgets
- Transport costs could fuel broader inflation
- Sector disparities complicate monetary policy
“The central bank faces a delicate balancing act,” noted economist Fatmata Sesay. “They must control inflation without stifling economic recovery.”
Category | January | February | Change
Food/Non-Alcohol | -0.72% | +0.51% | +1.23
Transport | +0.53% | +2.79% | +2.26
Healthcare | -0.94% | +0.90% | +1.84
Housing Utilities | +1.26% | +0.20% | -1.06
With global oil prices remaining volatile and domestic food supplies fluctuating, analysts predict continued inflationary pressures in coming months. The Bank of Sierra Leone’s next monetary policy meeting will be closely watched for responses to these emerging trends. ZIJ/7/4/2025
