Sierra Leone is currently grappling with the after-effects of the Ebola crisis and the sustained decline in iron ore prices. Accordingly, GDP for 2015 is estimated to have contracted by more than one-fifth.

Until the outbreak of Ebola in May 2014, Sierra Leone was seeking to become a transformed nation with middle-income status, but the country still carries its post-conflict attributes of high youth unemployment, corruption and weak national cohesion. 

Private sector executives have called on the Government of Sierra Leone to improve on business climate for post ebola economic recovery.

See paragraph 14 of this report “Business Environment”

This site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Sierra Leone.

The steps for launching a business are described on this site.

Income tax, profit tax, tax on company’s income are all named corporate income tax in this table

Firms, domestic and foreign, are subject to a corporate tax rate of 30 percent (except for mining companies which pay 35 percent). Citizens are subject to taxes of 20 – 30 percent, depending on their income. 

15% VAT in Sierra Leone

The Corporate Tax Rate in Sierra Leone stands at 30 percent.

The Personal Income Tax Rate in Sierra Leone stands at 30 percent. Personal Income Tax Rate in Sierra Leone averaged 30.91 percent from 2004 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 35 percent in 2005 and a record low of 30 percent in 2006. Personal Income Tax Rate in Sierra Leone is reported by the National Revenue Authority.

The Sales Tax Rate in Sierra Leone stands at 15 percent.

A passport and visa are required for travel to Sierra Leone. Visitors to Sierra Leone are required to show their International Certificates of Vaccination

Learn more about Sierra Leone’s visa requirement for travel. Passport Health makes it easy for travelers to obtain travel visas for Sierra Leone.

Local taxi is by far the most popular way of traveling both within and between cities, although they aren’t always the safest of option.

This site provides a comprehensive overview of trends and developments in Sierra Leone’stelecommunications market. 

Telecommunications in Sierra Leone include radio, television, fixed and mobile telephones, and the Internet. Radio is the most-popular and most-trusted media source.

Tips on getting to and getting around Sierra Leone from real travelers and locals.

This site provides a detailed summary of some of the labor regulations that would apply to local entrepreneurs wishing to hire workers, organize working schedules, improve job quality for workers, or make workers redundant for economic reasons in Sierra Leone. 

Current news topics on employment and labor in Sierra Leone

This site provides a detailed summary of some of the labor regulations that would apply to local entrepreneurs wishing to hire workers, organize working schedules, improve job quality for workers, or make workers redundant for economic reasons in Sierra Leone. 

A commentary on the employment situation in Sierra Leone

Discover the complete list of Sierra Leone’s public holidays for 2016 and 2017

Access hourly, 10 day and 15 day forecasts along with up to the minute reports and videos 

Brief comments on proper greetings, communication and attire.

A brief summary of the different levels of education in Sierra Leone. Urban children are structurally favored. Worst off are girls in rural areas, where cultural beliefs may not support their education at all.

Latest travel advice for Sierra Leone including safety and security

Demographic facts and statistics for Sierra Leone

See “People and Society” on this CIA site

Cost of living guidelines for Freetown

Climate summary for six cities in Sierra Leone

Cost of living guidelines for Freetown

Sierra Leone is not immune to robberies, home invasions, assaults, and petty street crimes. Even with the employment of security personnel, many instances of crime still occur; these usually involve some type of inside job/conspiracy and are typically non-violent in nature. 

Before you visit Sierra Leone, visit TripAdvisorfor the latest info and advice, written for travelers by travelers.

Sierra Leone joined the Global Partnership for Education in 2007. The country’s education sector plan covers the period 2014-2018 and focuses on increasing access, improving quality, and system strengthening.

Full list of Sierra Leone public and bank holidays. 

Sierra Leone Customs regulations and procedures for importing and exporting goods at the border

This is a comprehensive report on import and export regulations for Sierra Leone

This site provideskey information on Sierra Leone’s participation in the WTO. Sierra Leone has been a member of WTO since 23 July 1995 and  a member of GATT since 19 May 1961.

A commentary on African trade agreements including Sierra Leone

Find 945 traveler reviews, candid photos, and prices for 19 hotels in Sierra Leone.

A listing of hotels in Freetown

Long absent from the tourist map on account of the decade-long civil war that devastated the country during the 1990s, Sierra Leone is now slowly coaxing travellers back

The scars of Sierra Leone’s civil wars had just managed to heal when the West African Ebola outbreak ripped through the country in 2014