Julius Maada Bio Battles Weak Leone and Kush Crisis as Iron Ore Exports Top 830 Million

Economy · Sierra Leone

—The stakes. Sierra Leone economy growth is stable but fragile, with mining gains offset by persistent inflation, a weak leone and rising social unrest.

—The date. The IMF and World Bank both project real GDP will slow to about 4.0 percent in 2026 after growth of 5.0 percent in 2025 on IMF figures and 4.5 percent on the World Bank’s.

—The mineral engine. Iron ore made up about 69 percent of the US$1.3 billion mineral export haul in 2025, up from US$784.5 million and 70.3 percent of receipts in 2024, on Ministry of Mines figures.

—The political risk. Julius Maada Bio holds a contested second term as rivals and voters already position for the 2028 presidential race.