Country Study number 18 September, 2009 THE IMPACT OF THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS ON THE ECONOMY OF SIERRA LEONE A REPORT FOR UNDP FREETOWN AND THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE John Weeks School of Oriental & African Studies, University of London International Centre for Inclusive Growth Copyright© 2009 International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth United Nations Development Programme International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bloco O, 7º andar 70052-900 Brasilia, DF - Brazil Telephone: +55 61 2105 5000 E-mail:
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[email protected] THE IMPACT OF THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS ON THE ECONOMY OF SIERRA LEONE A REPORT FOR UNDP FREETOWN AND THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE John Weeks* EXECUTIVE SUMMARY GLOBAL CRISIS AND POVERTY PREVENTION Most recent statistics indicate that the global financial crisis will cause a fall in export earnings in Sierra Leone of approximately fifteen percent in 2009 compared to 2008.