The All People's Congress (APC) and the president, Ernest Koroma, are expected to remain in power over the forecast period. Recovering economic growth and improvements in power supply will boost the government's popularity, but corruption in the police and high unemployment will dampen popular enthusiasm and give ample opportunity for criticism by the opposition parties. Real GDP growth is expected to pick up after a dip in 2009, rising to 5.2% in 2010 and 6% in 2011 as the global economy improves, boosting prices for exports and driving greater foreign investment in mining projects. Inflation is forecast to fall from an estimated 11% in 2009 to 9% in 2010 and 9.3% in 2011, although the weak leone and strong international oil prices will prevent further falls. Overall, the current-account deficit is expected to narrow to 8.3% of GDP in 2010 and 7.9% of GDP in 2011, as current transfers pick up and the economy grows. |
 |
 |
| Key Reports Available for Sierra Leone |
|
 |
| Land area | | 71,740 sq km | | Population | | 5.74m (mid-2006 IMF estimate) | | Main towns | | Freetown (capital), Bo, Kenema, Makeni, Koidu | | Climate | | Tropical | | Weather in Freetown (altitude 1,260 metres) | | Hottest month, April, 29°C; coldest month, August, 26°C. Driest month, February, 3 mm average rainfall; wettest month, July, 782 mm average rainfall | | Languages | | English (official), Krio (an English-oriented creole), Mende, Temne and other local languages | | Measures | | Metric system | | Currency | | Leone (Le)=100 cents. Average exchange rate in 2007: Le2,985:US$1; actual exchange rate on June 11th 2008: Le2,855:US$1 | | Time | | GMT | | Public holidays | | January 1st; May 1st; August 9th (National Day); December 25th; the principal Islamic holidays—Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha (Tabaski) and Mouloud (the Prophet Mohammed's birthday)—are based on the lunar calendar and vary from year to year | | SOURCE: Country Profile |
|