Inflation Drops But Cost Of Living High – Citizens Bemoan
By John Marah
Sierra Leone’s year-on-year inflation dropped significantly from 14.03% in January 2025 to 7.10% in June, according to the latest data from Statistics Sierra Leone. On the surface, this suggests progress in stabilizing the economy, but beneath the surface lies a more complicated story — are prices actually falling in real terms?
To find out, I spoke with ten individuals from various sectors — traders, commuters, civil servants, and business professionals — across Freetown and surrounding communities. Their responses reveal a disconnect between the figures and everyday experience.
- Fatu Kamara – Trader, Dove Cut Market, Freetown
“Inflation might have gone down, yes. A big bag of rice and small bag of rice have come down a bit, but that’s just rice. Other goods are still high.”
(Journalist’s note: Rice, being a staple food, is often subsidized or influenced by government imports, which may explain the price dip.)
- Ibrahim Sesay – Okada Rider, Waterloo Junction
“Fuel prices have dropped slightly, but spare parts remain expensive. So whatever the government is talking about hasn’t reached people like me.”
(Commentary: Fuel is a key inflation indicator, but high import taxes on motorbike parts and volatile forex rates keep the burden heavy.)
- Aminata Conteh – Civil Servant, Lumley
“Maybe the statistics say things are better, but I’m still paying more for garri, oil, however, transport for now is okay, but my salary hasn’t changed.”
(Insight: Public sector workers often feel inflation more acutely, as wages remain fixed while living costs fluctuate.)
- Musa Bangura – Banker, Rawdon Street
“Inflation numbers reflect macroeconomic trends, but it takes time for monetary changes to impact the average person’s wallet.”
(Economic analysis: Lag effects in the economy mean inflation improvements often take months to affect consumer prices.)
- Hawa Mansaray – Petty Trader, Garrison Street
“Small items are still expensive. Pepper and fish are not cheap. If prices are going down, we haven’t seen it in the market yet.”
(Reporter’s note: Perishables tend to react slower to inflation drops due to supply chain and seasonal factors.)
- Thomas Koroma – Retail Shop Owner, Kissy
“Yes, the wholesale prices for sugar and milk have dropped a little, but transportation costs are still high, and that eats into our profit.”
(Observation: Transport remains a bottleneck — lower inflation doesn’t automatically mean lower logistical costs.)
- Isatu Jalloh – Student, Fourah Bay College
“The data may show inflation going down, but my lunch money doesn’t go far anymore. Some prices have even gone up.”
(Perspective: For students and low-income earners, even small increases in daily expenses feel significant.)
- Abdul Turay – Mechanic, Calaba Town
“Tyres, oil, and engine parts are still expensive. For me, there’s been no change in prices at all.”
(Technical note: Durable goods often depend on international trade, where currency fluctuations and port fees delay relief.)
- Mariama Barrie – Banker, Hill Station
“We track inflation trends closely. The decline is real, but the impact is dulled by issues like foreign exchange rates and ongoing supply chain disruptions.”
(Economic view: Inflation easing doesn’t cancel out structural issues like import dependency and local production gaps.)
- Alusine Kargbo – Taxi Driver, Goderich
“Fuel pump prices have dropped slightly, which helps a bit. But food and car maintenance costs are still high.”
(Insight: Transportation workers feel mixed effects — they benefit from lower fuel prices, but remain exposed to other rising costs.)
The Verdict?
The numbers might say one thing — but the streets tell another story.
While Sierra Leone’s headline inflation is falling, the ripple effect is slow to reach ordinary citizens. A few essentials like rice and sugar may have dipped slightly in price, but for many Sierra Leoneans, the cost of living remains stubbornly high. The disconnect between macroeconomic indicators and household realities is stark.
Economic analyst, Dr. Kadiatu Mansaray explains:
“Inflation decline doesn’t equal affordability. Until supply chains are stabilized, the Leone strengthens, and transportation becomes more efficient, people won’t feel the benefit in their pockets.”
As one trader put it bluntly:
“We don’t eat statistics. It’s what we can afford in the market that matters.”
