By Josephine Sesay

In the bustling streets and markets of Freetown, traders are experiencing mixed fortunes as economic pressures continue to shape daily business, while some report modest gains, others say sales have dropped sharply compared to previous months.

At the Calaba Town market, Zainab Turay, a fish trader, says business has been relatively steady despite the rising cost of goods.
Business is going on well because the boats are fishing, she explained, arranging freshly smoked fish on her stall, even though the price of a pan of fish is expensive, at least I can sell and help my family.

Like many traders in the fishing industry, Turay attributes her stable income to the consistent supply of fish from local boats; however, she admits that high fuel prices and increased transportation costs have forced her to raise prices, making it harder for some customers to buy in bulk.

Across town, in a small corner shop near Wellington, petty trader Abu Kamara paints a different picture,
sales are slow, even to sell one thousand Leones these days is hard, he said, before, I could sell more than that in just a few hours, but now people don’t have money.

Kamara’s story mirrors the struggles of many small business owners in the capital, who are grappling with reduced purchasing power and soaring prices of imported goods, economists note that inflation driven by currency depreciation and global market pressures has significantly weakened consumer spending in Sierra Leone.

Despite these challenges, some market women remain optimistic, the continued flow of fish and agricultural produce from rural areas has kept certain sectors of the informal economy active, still, traders are calling on authorities to support small businesses through access to affordable loans, improved infrastructure, and policies aimed at stabilizing market prices.

Local councils have also been encouraging traders to register their businesses formally, a move aimed at improving regulation and expanding access to credit. But for many, day-to-day survival remains their main focus, we just want to sell and feed our families, Turay said with a smile, as long as there’s fish to sell, I will keep coming to the market.”

As Sierra Leone continues its recovery from global economic shocks, traders like Zainab and Abu embody the resilience and determination that keep Freetown’s markets alive even in tough times.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 29ThOctober 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)