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Join us as we welcome Lisa Chesney MBE, His Majesty's British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone on Thursday 15th June from 14:40-15:40 BST.
Sierra Leone’s economic development has been constrained by concurrent global and domestic shocks. Macroeconomic management remains weak. Fiscal pressures have progressively intensified, the debt burden has worsened, and inflation has soared, driven by global supply shocks, exchange rate depreciation, and a deterioration in the terms of trade – in addition to internal imbalances. The rise in the cost-of-living combined with weak growth and a decline in macroeconomic fundamentals threatens to increase the level of poverty within a context of inadequate social safety nets.
The economy is projected to grow at 3.8% on average during 2023–25, below its long-term average, supported by: the government’s efforts to restore macro stability through fiscal discipline and prudent monetary policy; continued expansion of iron-ore mining operations; and some modest easing of inflationary pressures.
The outlook for the economy is intertwined with both external and domestic developments. Elevated or higher inflation from fluctuations in energy and food prices and less accommodative monetary policy in advanced economies could further affect the global economy and weigh on domestic growth. Political stability, and the reform appetite and effectiveness of the government’s economic agenda will contribute to domestic macroeconomic stability and resilience in the face of global uncertainties.
Lisa Chesney MBE took up her position as the British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone in August 2021. She has most recently served in London in the Home Office as Gold Command for the Crime, Policing and Fire Group’s response to and recovery from COVID-19. From 2018, Lisa led the UK’s Counter-Extremism Unit.
Security and Defence has been a theme throughout Lisa’s career, she has worked with a range of countries, multilateral partners and government departments on this agenda. In the FCO, she served as Deputy Head Security Policy, leading on strategic security issues and delivery of the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review. Lisa has also headed the Prevent Team within the Counter-Terrorism Department. She has previously been posted to Mogadishu, as Deputy Head of Mission, re-establishing a UK embassy in Somalia and to Helmand Province, as UK Head of Politics and Strategic Communications in the Provincial Reconstruction Team. Lisa has also held corporate services leadership and change management roles.
