ADVERTISEMENT

Sierra Leone economy to grow by 4.3 percent in 2016

"The improvement (in Sierra Leone) reflects the pick-up in economic activities following the end of Ebola and the resumption of iron ore mining early this year," said John Wakeman-Linn, a senior IMF official.

Visitors are silhouetted against the logo of the International Monetary Fund at the main venue for the IMF and World Bank annual meeting in Tokyo October 10, 2012.   REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Sierra Leone's economy is expected to grow by 4.3 percent this year because of a pick-up in mining and other sectors following the end of the Ebola epidemic, the International Monetary Fund said Tuesday.

The world's worst recorded Ebola epidemic has battered Sierra Leone's economy, which the IMF said contracted by 21 percent last year. Ebola has killed some 11,300 people in Sierra Leone and its neighbours Guinea and Liberia since late 2013.

He said in a statement that inflation was stable at 8.5 percent last year but expected a slight acceleration in 2016 because of a depreciation of Sierra Leone's currency, the leone.

Wakeman-Linn said Sierra Leone's economy remained exposed to shocks because of a slowdown in China, a major trading partner, and its heavy reliance on iron ore exports and on donors.

ADVERTISEMENT

The recovery will also be fragile due to fears of a resurgence of Ebola, he added.

The World Health Organisation has said the virus no longer poses a global risk, but all of the countries at the centre of the outbreak have reported flare-ups after being declared to have had no active transmissions.

After an initial declaration in November, Sierra Leone was most recently declared free of the virus on March 17. That same day Guinea reported an Ebola flare-up three months after being declared to have no transmissions.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Obama, Clinton support Biden at NYC fundraiser amid protests

Obama, Clinton support Biden at NYC fundraiser amid protests

Tinubu’s refusal to celebrate 72nd birthday marks great leadership - Rahman

Tinubu’s refusal to celebrate 72nd birthday marks great leadership - Rahman

Adamawa Police reaffirms ban on motorcycles in Yola

Adamawa Police reaffirms ban on motorcycles in Yola

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

Tinubu appoints Bello as chairman of code of conduct bureau

Tinubu appoints Bello as chairman of code of conduct bureau

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT