AYV News, July 29, 2026
Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh has challenged the long-standing claim that Sierra Leone’s unemployment rate stands at 70 percent, describing the figure as outdated and misleading.
In a reflection shared following a high-level engagement with the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, and representatives of 14 informal sector labour unions, the Chief Minister said the country has made significant progress in employment creation, particularly within the informal economy.
According to Dr. Sengeh, discussions with labour leaders reinforced the view that Sierra Leone has already achieved the target of creating 500,000 jobs, a commitment made by President Julius Maada Bio during the 2023 elections. He argued that employment statistics should recognize the millions of Sierra Leoneans earning livelihoods in the informal sector.
The Chief Minister noted that registered commercial bike riders, taxi and commercial vehicle drivers, omolankay operators, farmers, musicians, artists, photographers, bloggers, traders, and other informal workers contribute substantially to the country’s economy, accounting for an estimated 64 percent of Sierra Leone’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He emphasized that these workers should not be classified as unemployed simply because they operate outside the formal employment sector. Instead, he called for greater recognition of their economic contribution and urged those citing the 70 percent unemployment figure to provide credible and up-to-date evidence.
Dr. Sengeh also highlighted three key outcomes from the dialogue. He praised Sierra Leone’s labour movement, stating that the country has one of Africa’s strongest union structures, with approximately 20 formal sector unions and 14 active informal sector unions working alongside the Sierra Leone Labour Congress.
He further described the government’s social protection agenda as evidence of its commitment to social democracy, pointing to reforms such as the expansion of the Social Protection Authority, the proposed Social Protection Insurance for the Informal Sector Bill, progress toward health insurance coverage, and reforms aimed at decriminalising minor offences.
The Chief Minister concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to working collaboratively with labour unions, civil society, and the private sector to expand employment opportunities, strengthen worker protection, promote lifelong learning, and improve income security for workers across the country.
He maintained that while more work remains to be done, Sierra Leone’s employment story should reflect the realities of its growing informal economy rather than rely on outdated statistics.
