By zainab.joaque@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – After a period of declining inflation throughout 2024, Sierra Leone entered 2025 with a slight reversal of fortunes. The annual national Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) for January edged up to 14.03%, a marginal increase from December’s 13.78%. While rising food prices drove this uptick, other sectors of the economy provided some relief, mitigating inflationary pressures.
The primary driver of January’s inflation increase was the food and non-alcoholic beverages sector, which saw sustained price growth. This reflects ongoing challenges such as supply chain disruptions, currency fluctuations, and seasonal agricultural trends that impact food costs. With food expenditures making up a significant portion of household budgets, these price increases directly affect consumer purchasing power.
However, inflationary trends across other industries painted a more complex picture. The most notable decline was recorded in the alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics sector, where prices dropped by 3.21 percentage points. This suggests a shift in consumer behavior or improvements in supply conditions for these goods.
The health sector also saw a decrease in inflation by 1.80 percentage points, likely due to government interventions, improved supply chain efficiencies, or adjustments in healthcare spending. Clothing and footwear prices eased slightly, possibly reflecting shifts in consumer demand or increased availability of imported goods. Additionally, the recreation and culture sector, restaurants and hotels, and miscellaneous goods and services all saw price declines, further cushioning the overall inflationary trend.
One of the most significant observations in the January CPI data was the stability in education costs. Unlike other sectors, which experienced fluctuations, the inflation rate for education remained unchanged between December 2024 and January 2025. This stability could be attributed to regulated fees, government subsidies, or long-term tuition contracts that prevent short-term price swings.
The mixed inflationary trends in January suggest that while rising food prices remain a concern, declines in other sectors have helped contain overall inflation. Policymakers will need to monitor these dynamics closely, ensuring that interventions target food price stability without disrupting sectors that are currently providing relief.
For consumers, the data highlights the need for strategic spending, as certain sectors offer cost reductions while essential goods like food continue to see price increases. As 2025 unfolds, tracking these inflationary patterns will be crucial in shaping economic policies that promote stability and growth. ZIJ/1/4/2025
 for January edged up to 14.03%, a marginal increase from December’s 13.78%. While rising food prices drove this uptick, other sectors of the economy provided some relief, mitigating inflationary pressures.){kind=link}