Trends, Structural Reforms and Intercontinental Trade Dynamics: The case of Sierra Leone’s Approach to the Implementation of the AfCFTA

The report finds that while Sierra Leone ratified the AfCFTA on November 7, 2018, actual implementation has been slow and lacks formal policy frameworks, strategic plans, or dedicated implementation structures. The country's economy remains heavily dependent on the extractive sector, particularly minerals like titanium ore and diamonds, which limits its intra-trade competing capacity. Significant barriers to success include a severe lack of access to finance for SMEs—with 65.1% of SMEs citing it as a major impediment—and a lack of data on business preparedness. The report recommends that the Ministry of Trade and Industry lead the development of a national AfCFTA Policy Framework and establish a steering committee to coordinate implementation.

• Sierra Leone's Parliament unanimously ratified the AfCFTA Agreement on November 7, 2018, to promote trade liberalization across Africa.
• There is a critical absence of formal implementation structures, policy frameworks, and strategic plans to guide the AfCFTA process in Sierra Leone.
• The Sierra Leonean economy is heavily reliant on the extractive sector, which may hinder its ability to fully benefit from the AfCFTA without diversifying into sectors like agriculture.
• Access to finance is the primary constraint for SMEs in Sierra Leone, with 65.1% of respondents identifying it as a major obstacle, significantly higher than the Sub-Saharan average of 38.3%.
• The country is currently developing a trade and investment strategy to prepare for intra-Africa trade under the AfCFTA.
• Capacity building efforts have begun, including a 'Training of Trainers' programme launched in Freetown on April 7, 2021, by the UNDP and ECOWAS to support women SME traders and producers.
• There is a significant data gap regarding the implementation of AfCFTA in Sierra Leone, with no available information on public-private partnerships or the number of firms preparing for the agreement.
• Sierra Leone's export profile is dominated by minerals, with Titanium Ore ($194M), Rough Wood ($116M), and Diamonds ($113M) being the top exports in 2019.
• The report recommends that the Ministry of Trade and Industry establish a steering committee and a national AfCFTA Policy Framework to operationalize the agreement.

APA

Frimpong, J. A. (2021). Trends, Structural Reforms and Intercontinental Trade Dynamics: The case of Sierra Leone’s Approach to the Implementation of the AfCFTA. Good Governance Africa. https://digitalmallblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/wp-content/2021/12/61bc7e475e4ea-61bc7e475e4ecTrends-Structural-Reforms-and-Intercontinental-Trade-Dynamics-Sierra-Leone.pdf.pdf

Chicago

Frimpong, Jones A. Trends, Structural Reforms and Intercontinental Trade Dynamics: The case of Sierra Leone’s Approach to the Implementation of the AfCFTA. Good Governance Africa, 2021. https://digitalmallblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/wp-content/2021/12/61bc7e475e4ea-61bc7e475e4ecTrends-Structural-Reforms-and-Intercontinental-Trade-Dynamics-Sierra-Leone.pdf.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Frimpong |first1=Jones A. |title=Trends, Structural Reforms and Intercontinental Trade Dynamics: The case of Sierra Leone’s Approach to the Implementation of the AfCFTA |publisher=Good Governance Africa |date=October 2021 |url=https://digitalmallblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/wp-content/2021/12/61bc7e475e4ea-61bc7e475e4ecTrends-Structural-Reforms-and-Intercontinental-Trade-Dynamics-Sierra-Leone.pdf.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{frimpong2021trends, author = {Frimpong, Jones A.}, title = {{Trends, Structural Reforms and Intercontinental Trade Dynamics: The case of Sierra Leone’s Approach to the Implementation of the AfCFTA}}, institution = {Good Governance Africa}, year = {2021}, month = oct, url = {https://digitalmallblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/wp-content/2021/12/61bc7e475e4ea-61bc7e475e4ecTrends-Structural-Reforms-and-Intercontinental-Trade-Dynamics-Sierra-Leone.pdf.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }