By Kadiatu A. Turay

In the bustling markets of Freetown, the rhythm of daily life continues as traders call out to customers and buyers haggle over prices. Yet behind the familiar noise and energy lies a quiet struggle, the rising cost of living has affected everyone, but few feel the impact more deeply than Sierra Leone’s market women the backbone of the informal economy and the heartbeat of local commerce, at Abacha Street Market, 38-year-old Haja Mariatu Kamara, a mother of four, arranges her vegetables carefully as she waits for customers. She pauses and sighs before sharing her story.

A bag of pepper that used to cost me Le 350 now sells for Le 750, the profit is small, but I have to sell to survive, she says, wiping sweat from her forehead, sometimes I go home with almost nothing, but I can’t stop, my children depend on me.”

Across Sierra Leone, the prices of food, fuel, and essential commodities have soared over the past year, transportation costs have doubled, pushing up the prices of goods brought from rural areas, for small-scale traders who rely on daily sales to sustain their families, every price increase eats away at their already slim profits.

According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, inflation in food and household commodities remains one of the biggest challenges affecting low-income earners, particularly women traders. Most operate without access to formal savings, loans, or credit facilities, leaving them vulnerable to sudden price shocks.

At Lumley Market, Fanta Bangura, who sells rice and cooking oil, says her sales have dropped sharply, people no longer buy as they used to, customers now ask for smaller quantities half cups or quarter cups because they can’t afford much. Before, I could buy 10 bags of rice to sell; now, I can only manage five, she explains.

Despite the economic hardship, many market women have found creative ways to stay afloat. Some have formed osusu (local savings groups) to support one another financially, while others have turned to small-scale farming or side businesses to supplement their income.

In Kroo Town Road Market, Aminata Conteh, a fish seller, credits her survival to joining a women’s cooperative, we contribute small amounts of money every week, when one of us has a problem, we use that money to help, that’s how I’ve been managing to restock my fish, she says proudly.

Aminata’s experience mirrors that of many traders across the country. Informal savings schemes have become a vital safety net, while some NGOs are stepping in to provide financial literacy training and small grants to help women traders sustain their livelihoods.

The president of the market women’s Association, Madam Haja Kadiatu Sesay, believes that government intervention is crucial to easing the burden on market women.

These women are the backbone of our economy, they pay daily taxes and feed the nation, but most of them are struggling, the government should help them with access to low-interest loans and business training, she says.

Officials at the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs also recognize the hardships market women face, a senior officer, Isata Jalloh, noted that the ministry is collaborating with development partners to improve financial inclusion.

We are working with partners to empower market women through financial inclusion programs. Our goal is to help them move from survival to sustainability, she explained.

However, local economist Dr. Patrick Sowa warns that such initiatives can only succeed if inflation is brought under control.

Small loans won’t help if the cost of living keeps rising, the government must stabilize prices by supporting local production and reducing dependency on imports, he cautioned.

Despite the daily struggles, what stands out most among these women is their resilience. In the face of inflation, unstable markets, and economic uncertainty, they continue to rise before dawn, set up their stalls, and smile through hardship.

At the end of a long day, Haja Mariatu packs up her unsold vegetables and reflects with quiet strength, we are used to hard times, this one is tough, but we’ve seen worse, as long as God gives us strength, we will continue to hustle, she says with a faint smile.

The rising cost of living has placed immense pressure on Sierra Leone’s market women, but their resilience and creativity remain unmatched, through savings groups, community solidarity, and sheer determination, they continue to feed their families and the nation.

Their stories serve as a powerful reminder that while inflation may raise prices, it cannot diminish the strength, courage, and spirit of Sierra Leone’s women the silent heroes of our markets.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 27 October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)