Sierra Leone has made significant strides in the latest World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2025, standing out as one of the few nations to record improvement at a time when most countries are experiencing a decline.
The country’s overall score rose from 0.43 to 0.44, marking a 1.4 percent increase and moving Sierra Leone to 109th out of 143 countries globally, and 20th among 38 African nations.
According to the WJP, 68 percent of countries saw declines in their rule of law performance for the eighth consecutive year, underscoring Sierra Leone’s progress as a positive exception.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay (Esq.), attributed the improvement to continued reforms in the justice sector, stronger anti-corruption measures, and broader access to legal services.
“We are building a legal system that protects rights, upholds accountability, and serves the people,” he said, noting that Sierra Leone now ranks among the top seven low-income countries worldwide for rule of law.
Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, also hailed the achievement as a reflection of “growing democratic maturity and consistent political commitment.”
The WJP index evaluates how effectively the rule of law is upheld through measures such as accountability, fundamental rights, and security. With many African nations,including Nigeria and Guinea, experiencing declines, Sierra Leone’s progress signals renewed public confidence and continued institutional reform.
