By zainab.joaque@awokonewspapersl.com
Washington, D.C. – Sierra Leone’s fight against inflation took a promising turn in March 2025, with every region recording a drop in year-on-year price increases — and for the first time in years, a majority of regions are now reporting single-digit inflation.
The Western Region, often the nation’s inflation hotspot, saw the steepest decline. Inflation there fell from a staggering 16.48% in February to 13.02% in March — a drop of more than three percentage points. While still above the national average, this sharp fall signals a shift toward price stability in the capital and surrounding areas.
Other regions followed suit. The Northern Region’s inflation eased from 12.41% to 10.94%, while the North-West crossed a key threshold, dipping into single-digit territory at 9.04% — down from 11.23%. The Eastern and Southern Regions, already enjoying relatively low inflation, also saw continued improvements. The East dropped from 9.00% to 7.87%, and the South from 8.62% to 7.43%.
This marks the first time in recent memory that three out of Sierra Leone’s five regions are reporting inflation below 10%. It’s a significant milestone, pointing to a nationwide trend of easing price pressures.
Several factors are behind this broad-based decline. A major driver is food inflation, now at a five-year low, which has offered relief especially in regions where food dominates household spending. Improvements in supply chains, a more stable Leone, and carefully targeted fiscal reforms are also believed to be having an effect — not just in cities, but across rural markets too.
Still, disparities remain. The Western and Northern Regions continue to post inflation above the national average, highlighting ongoing challenges in densely populated and import-reliant areas. But the overall picture is encouraging: inflation is falling across the board, and households everywhere are starting to feel the difference.
As policymakers push forward with economic reforms, March’s figures suggest that their efforts are beginning to bear fruit — bringing hope for a more stable and affordable future for all Sierra Leoneans. ZIJ/30/4/2025
