Sierra Leone Fails Over Half of MCC FY2026 Indicators, Raising Economic and Civic Concerns

Sierra Leone failed 13 out of 22 indicators in the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) FY2026 scorecard, passing only nine, according to the latest report.

The results highlight a persistent imbalance between modest improvements in public service delivery and ongoing weaknesses in economic management and civil liberties.

The MCC evaluates performance across four pillars: Economic Freedom, Investing in People, Ruling Justly, and Personal Freedom. Sierra Leone scored poorly in most economic indicators. Inflation reached 28.4 percent, placing the country in the lowest percentile globally. ade policy, regulatory quality, and fiscal policy all ranked in the 11th percentile, while access to credit and land rights also recorded low scores, underscoring structural barriers to investment and private sector growth.

Despite these economic challenges, Sierra Leone recorded gains in human development. Health spending reached 6.3 percent of GDP, girls’ primary school completion hit 94.1 percent, and immunization coverage reached 91 percent, indicating that targeted investments in education and healthcare are beginning to show measurable progress.

In governance, the country performed moderately well, passing key benchmarks in control of corruption and accountability. However, other measures including government effectiveness, rule of law, political rights, and civil liberties remain weak, pointing to fragile institutions and limited democratic consolidation.

The country performed poorly in the Personal Freedom category. While freedom of religion scored moderately, freedoms of assembly, speech, and internet access all ranked in the 33rd percentile, raising serious concerns about civic space, media independence, and digital rights.

With a population of 8.6 million and a Gross National Income per capita of $840, Sierra Leone remains a low-income country. The FY2026 MCC scorecard offers a stark assessment: while the nation has recorded gains in health, education, and anti-corruption measures, its economic freedom and personal liberties remain critical vulnerabilities.

As the country prepares for its next development cycle, the report highlights both areas of resilience and institutional and structural gaps that continue to limit inclusive growth, democratic accountability, and investor confidence.