Sierra Leone

Africa
Sierra Leone world map

Trade in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone was the world’s 153rd largest exporter of goods and 188th largest exporter of commercial services in 2025. Export values were $1864 and $50 million USD respectively. Sierra Leone’s top export category was fuels and mining products, followed by agricultural products, and manufactures. In 2018, Sierra Leone’s main export destination markets for goods and services trade were to China, Korea, Republic of and Netherlands, with trade representing 40.55 per cent of GDP. In terms of imports, Sierra Leone is the world’s 163rd largest importer of goods and 169th largest importer of commercial services. Import values were $2347 and $385 million USD respectively in 2025. Sierra Leone’s top import category was manufactures, followed by agricultural products and fuels and mining products.  Leading import partners were China, United Arab Emirates and Belgium. Sierra Leone is part of 2 different Regional Trade Agreements, including with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

 

Regional Trade Agreements Database  

General Information

This section includes general information on the economy, legal system, official languages and links to additional demographic information.

Official Name

Republic of Sierra Leone

Abbreviation

SL

Capital

Freetown

WTO Membership Date

23 July 1995

Legal System

mixed legal system of English common law and customary law

Language

English

Number of Time Zone(s)

1

Additional Information

Financial Information

This section includes financial information such as the currency, exchange rate lookup and local banks issuing trade finance.

Currency

Sierra Leonean leone

Exchange Rate

 Google Finance Currencies

Contact Information

This section includes contact information for business support organizations and national resources.

Business Support Organizations

Government MSME Agency

  • Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency

Industrial Property Offices

  • National Registry for industrial property and copyright

  • Office of the Administrator and Registrar General (OARG)

SPS Enquiry Points

Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) enquiry points are government agencies designated to answer questions about trade requirements.

  • Mr. James S. Dumbuya
    Director
    Sierra Leone Standards Bureau
    Phone: +(232) 78 334 134

    Old SLPMB Building
    Cline Town

    [email protected]

TBT Enquiry Points

Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) enquiry points are government agencies designated to answer questions about trade requirements.

  • Professor Thomas R.B. Yormah
    Director, Sierra Leone Standards Bureau
    Phone: +(232) 76 626488; +(232) 30 230500

    Old SLMPB Building, Cline Town, Freetown, Sierra Leone

    [email protected]

Additional Information

 ePing alert

Last Reviewed: October, 2026

Businesses & Entrepreneurs

Find a concise overview of key aspects of international trade for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises with our Businesses & Entrepreneurs Guides.

Get started with guides for Businesses

Policymakers & Researchers

Find a concise overview of key aspects of trade and MSME-related policymaking with our dedicated library of Policymakers & Researchers Guides.

Get started with guides for Policymakers

Resources related to Sierra Leone

  • View Resource

    AI Toolkit for Women-led Businesses

    Practical AI guidance for the export journey.

    Source: International Trade Centre (ITC), 2026

    Businesses: Goods, Capacity Building, Digital Trade & E-Commerce, Africa, Asia & Middle East, Europe, North America, Oceania, South & Central America and the Caribbean,
  • View Resource

    Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation: Global Report 2025

    This report presents the results of the sixth United Nations (UN) Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation with targeted SME questions.

    Source: United Nations , 2025

    Policymakers: Goods, Border Procedures & Trade Facilitation, Africa, Asia & Middle East, Europe, North America, Oceania, South & Central America and the Caribbean,
  • View Resource

    MSMEs , Value Chain and trade development in Southern Africa

    In the present study, the authors analyse how Southern African micro-, small and medium[1]sized enterprises (MSMEs) are using innovations and technologies to integrate themselves into value chains and better utilize trade agreements. The countries analysed and visited were Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia.

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

    Policymakers: Logistics, Africa,
View all guides and resources
Global Trade Helpdesk Organization Logo

Simplify your market research with an integrated source of trade intelligence, for firms of all sizes, even the smallest. The Global Trade Helpdesk, an initiative by the International Trade Centre, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and the World Trade Organization, provides market intelligence for companies looking to trade in an easy-to-use online tool.

Visit the Global Trade Helpdesk site