As 2025 unfolds, economic challenges from 2024 continue to impact several African nations, with inflation taking center stage as a significant concern.
According to the latest World Economic Outlook report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), double-digit inflation is expected in several African countries, signaling potential economic turmoil.
Inflation—the sustained rise in the overall price level of goods and services—has severe implications for economies, businesses, and consumers. For countries with high inflation projections, the strain on industries and households is particularly acute, especially where poverty levels are already high. Rising costs, coupled with stagnant wages, threaten to push more people below the poverty line, compounding existing disparities.
The IMF attributes these inflationary pressures to several factors, including currency depreciation, administrative price adjustments, and underperformance in key sectors such as agriculture.
For Sierra Leone, which ranks 9th on the list of African countries projected to face the highest inflation hikes in 2025, this is a pressing issue.
Here is the IMF’s list of the top 10 African countries expected to experience the steepest inflation spikes in 2025:
- Sudan – 118.9%
- South Sudan – 79.3%
- Nigeria – 25.0%
- Burundi – 25.0%
- Zimbabwe – 23.6%
- Ethiopia – 23.3%
- Angola – 21.3%
- Egypt – 21.2%
- Sierra Leone – 18.0%
- Malawi – 15.3%
Sudan tops the list with a staggering inflation rate of 118.9%, followed by South Sudan at 79.3%. Nigeria and Burundi, both projected at 25%, tie for third. Sierra Leone, with an anticipated inflation rate of 18%, faces significant economic challenges that could exacerbate poverty and inequality if not addressed.
As policymakers across the continent grapple with these economic pressures, proactive measures, including fiscal reforms and targeted social safety nets, will be critical in mitigating the impact on vulnerable populations. Sierra Leone, like its counterparts, must act swiftly to stabilize its economy and safeguard its citizens from the far-reaching effects of inflation.