June 15, 2016 By Abu-bakarr Sheriff
Sierra Leone was ranked 25th out of 38 African countries in the 2016 Africa Prosperity Report, launchedby the Legatum Institute on 1 June. However, it was categorised under “middle ranking countries”, ahead of Guinea and Liberia in the sub-region, which were placed among “low ranking countries.”
The report looked at key thematic areas to determine the performance of African countries in their quest for prosperity. Under “Economy”, Sierra Leone ranked a lowly 34 out of 38 countries, and 30 under the rubric “Entrepreneurship and Opportunity”. In “Governance” and “Education” the country ranked 21 and 23 respectively, while in “Health” she also did poorly, ranking 36, just two places from the bottom. In “Safety and Security”, the country ranked 27, and in “Personal Freedom” she ranked 15. The performance was impressive though in “Social Capital” where the country ranked 4.
South Africa is the highest ranked country in the continent, while Rwanda is the most improved country since 2009, rising 10 places above. Tanzania is the least improved country in Africa since 2009, falling five places below, while Central Africa Republic is the lowest ranked country, 38.
As the country recovers from a debilitating Ebola scourge and with a development agenda called “Agenda for Prosperity”, the report placed it among countries that are “delivery as expected”.
Meanwhile, the 2016 Africa Prosperity Report notes that the figures indicate that “decades of economic growth across the continent has failed to deliver greater levels of prosperity for many African countries.”
The report adds: “The Africa Prosperity Report seeks to determine what level of prosperity African countries can and should be expected to deliver given their level of wealth. This is done by assessing a country’s level of wealth (GDP per capita) modelled against its overall ranking in the Legatum Institute’s annual Prosperity Index (which uses eight economic and social factors including Entrepreneurship & Opportunity; Governance; Education; Health; Safety & Security; Personal Freedom; and Social Capital).”
The Key Findings were:
- Rwanda has the biggest ‘Prosperity Surplus’ in Africa. Even though its GDP per capita is $1661, it came top of the rankings due to the significant reforms it has made recently to strengthen the rule of law and reduce corruption.
- Interestingly, other large surpluses are found in Senegal and Burkina Faso, driven by over-achievement in Personal Freedom and Governance.
- Central African Republic has the biggest ‘Prosperity Deficit’ in Africa. Its GDP per capita is a measly $594 and it has one of the lowest overall records of prosperity in the world.
- Angola is significantly under-achieving. While it is one of the wealthier countries in Africa (GDP per capita of $6949), its over-reliance on one industry (oil) and its high unemployment rate and track record on civil liberties means it ranked just below Central African Republic as the second worst performing country.
The Legatum Institute is an international think tank and educational charity that is focused on promoting prosperity and does research on core themes of revitalising capitalism and democracy.