Sierra Leone’s Human Capital Development Surges Forward: New World Bank Report
Freetown witnessed the launch of an illuminating report titled “Sierra Leone Human Capital Review: Maximizing Human Potential for Resilience and Inclusive Development,” courtesy of the World Bank. This comprehensive assessment underscores Sierra Leone’s significant progress in fostering human capital development, praising the government’s unwavering dedication to enhancing the well-being and productivity of its citizens through substantial investments in health and education.
One of the report’s key highlights applauds Sierra Leone’s emphasis on social protection initiatives, particularly cash transfers targeting the most vulnerable groups, as a pivotal strategy in poverty reduction and human capital enhancement.
The World Bank lauds the integration of Human Capital Development as a primary policy cluster in Sierra Leone’s Medium-term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2019–2023, with a substantial increase in funding allocated to critical sectors like health and education. The forthcoming MTNDP (2024-2030) elevates human capital development as a central pillar, with food security taking precedence. This heightened commitment has yielded tangible improvements in health and education outcomes, exemplified by reductions in maternal and under-5 mortality rates, increased adult survival rates, and improved years of schooling since 2005.
The transformative impact of initiatives such as the Free Quality Education, launched in 2018, has notably dismantled barriers to education access, supported by a robust Education Sector Plan (2022–2026) outlining key priorities and pathways to achieving national education objectives. Moreover, Sierra Leone has expanded social protection coverage through flagship programs like the ‘Ep Fet Po’ cash transfer initiative, bolstered by World Bank-supported projects, thereby fostering a resilient and skilled workforce.
However, amidst these advancements, Sierra Leone grapples with persistent challenges, as highlighted by its ranking of 151 out of 157 countries on the Human Capital Index (HCI). The HCI underscores the urgency to address issues such as high poverty rates, limited access to basic services, and alarming human development outcomes. Shockingly, only about two-thirds of today’s 15-year-olds are expected to reach the age of 60, while approximately one-quarter of children suffer from chronic malnutrition. The HCI projections paint a stark picture, indicating that today’s children may only achieve 35% of their potential productivity due to gaps in education and health.
The Sierra Leone Human Capital Review aligns with the World Bank’s overarching commitment to empowering nations in nurturing robust human capital as a cornerstone for inclusive growth, resonating with the institution’s vision of eradicating poverty in a sustainable world. The report’s insights serve as a vital compass for policymakers, development partners, and stakeholders, guiding collective efforts towards a prosperous and equitable future for Sierra Leone.
