Driven by the mining sector (particularly iron ore), real GDP growth accelerated from 6% in 2011 to 16.7% in 2012 as a consequence of iron ore production. It has also been supported by agriculture, services and an expansion in construction. GDP growth is projected to stabilise around 7.2% in 2013 before reaching 12.1% in 2014 as iron ore projects become fully operational.

Real gross domestic product (GDP) growth increased from 5% (excluding iron ore) in 2010 to 5.7% in 2011 and is projected to rise gradually to 6.2% in 2012 and 2013 driven by recovery in the mining sector. According to International Monetary Fund (IMF) projections, new iron ore exploration planned for 2012 should result in a one-time expansion of real GDP growth (including iron ore) of 51.4% this year. Growth is expected to stabilise around 10.2% in 2013.

Having recorded 4.5% in 2010, growth is projected to rise to 5.1 in 2011 and to gradually recover to 6.0% in 2012. The medium-term outlook for the Sierra Leonean economy is positive, but even more could be done on the structural reform side to help bring the country on a path of high growth with the job creation needed for significant improvements in people's living standards. Growth is being driven by exports of minerals and cash crops due to the global recovery, the expansion of the service sector, increased agricultural productivity, and continued investment in infrastructure. The recent completion of the Bumbuna power station has already started to yield benefits. The government has undertaken key reforms (e.g. in the financial sector, tax reforms) that will bring benefits only later but bode well for the country's future.

The gradual projected recovery in 2010 mostly reflects continued buoyant agricultural production and services, and exports that are slowly turning around. Nevertheless, exports of minerals, driven by the global return to growth, remain subdued because of compressed prices, reduced investment and continued production difficulties in the rutile sub-sector. Although growth is projected to increase to 5% in 2011 thanks to stronger global recovery and rising exports, returns on infrastructure investments and an improved business climate, it will remain below the pre-crisis rates. Even small differences in growth are potentially very damaging for a vulnerable country such as Sierra Leone, given the widespread poverty and the risk of policy reversal and social instability. For the future the key policy priority is thus to bring the economy quickly back on a high and broad-based growth path, as the current slowdown raises already high unemployment, hampers progress with poverty reduction and heightens risks of resurgence of fragility. In this context, stable and predictable foreign aid delivery remains crucial.

The Constitution of Sierra Leone provides for equal rights for men and women, but the principle of non-discrimination does not apply in all areas. In February 2007, the government established a commission to review the Constitution and eliminate all discriminatory measures.

SIERRA LEONE POSTED RELATIVELY STRONG growth in 2008 with GDP increasing by an estimated 5.4 per cent despite high oil prices. GDP is projected to rise by 6.3 per cent in 2009 and by 5.5 per cent in 2010. The country is still reconstructing following the 1991- 2001 civil war and while recent positive performances may in part reflect catch-up growth they are to be commended given Sierra Leone’s dependence on food and oil imports in a time of global price increases. The challenge going forward will be to consolidate growth and to address the enduring risk factors for conflict such as widespread unemployment and poverty. Reining in inflation, which was 13 per cent in 2008, is also important.

This report reviews the implementation in Sierra Leone of the Principles for Good International Engagement in Fragile States and Situations two years after they were endorsed by ministers of the OECD Development Assistance Committee, and identifies priority areas to improve the collective impact of international engagement. The Sierra Leone Country Report reflects the findings from a national consultation among stakeholders representing both national and international institutions, complemented by interviews and data collection.

In the face of what has increasingly been referred to as an ongoing “permacrisis”, governments must cope with and respond to emerging threats while already grappling with longstanding issues such as climate change, digital disruption and low levels of trust. In this context, understanding new approaches and spreading successful ideas has never been more important. To promote this, the OECD Observatory of Public Sector Innovation (OPSI) has analysed 1 084 innovative initiatives from 94 countries to derive and understand novel government practices. The report discusses four key trends: 1) new forms of accountability for a new era of government, 2) new approaches to care, 3) new methods for preserving identities and strengthening equity and 4) new ways of engaging citizens and residents. Ten case studies and dozens of supporting examples illustrate these trends.