Fighting Poverty in Sierra Leone

FINCA helps Sierra Leoneans living in poverty access basic services to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families.

56.8%

LIVE BELOW THE NATIONAL POVERTY LINE

*from 2018

44.5%

WORK IN AGRICULTURE

*from 2025

41.5%

OF THE POPULATION LIVES ON LESS THAN $3.00 PER DAY

*from 2018

sources from World Bank Group

Smiling woman holding a baby indoors.

Women are the key to success in the fight against poverty.

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Facts about Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone has been slowly rebuilding democracy since civil war ended in 2002, which resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of more than 2 million people. The country is also recovering from the Ebola epidemic, creating jobs and stamping out endemic corruption.

Sierra Leone, along with much of sub-Saharan Africa, is on the verge of a crisis. By 2035, the International Monetary Fund estimates the number of Africans joining the working age population will exceed the rest of the world combined. To fill this surge, 18 million new jobs will have to be created each year for the next 20 years across sub-Saharan Africa. In the meantime, Sierra Leoneans rely on the informal sector for a chance to earn a living. In addition, access to basic services, like energy, water and sanitation, education, health care and agriculture, is often inadequate.

When poor people have access to financial services and life-enhancing products, they can earn more, build their assets, create jobs and cushion themselves against external shocks. FINCA is helping Sierra Leoneans improve their lives by supporting access to basic services through FINCA Ventures.