The Economics of Livelihoods in Sierra Leone: A Policy and Academic Perspective (en Inglés) - Emerson Abraham Jackson

This monograph offers an in-depth analysis of how people in Sierra Leone sustain their lives amidst fragile political, social, and economic conditions. Written with both academics and policymakers in mind, it blends theoretical frameworks such as Sen's Capability Approach and the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework with empirical data from Sierra Leone to explain the realities of everyday survival. In doing so, it introduces the Livelihood System Integrated Model (LSIM), a novel analytical contribution that demonstrates how the concerted efforts of an entire system—spanning households, communities, markets, and institutions—can collectively support a more coordinated and resilient livelihood architecture. LSIM provides readers with a fresh lens through which to understand the dynamic interactions that shape livelihood outcomes, thereby enriching existing knowledge and offering a practical pathway for strengthening Sierra Leone’s development planning.

Chapters address the dominance of informality in the economy, the challenges of poverty, inequality, and climate change, and the structural weaknesses in governance, education, and healthcare. These are not abstract concerns but lived realities that directly affect resilience, food security, and the prospects of inclusive growth. By situating these issues within the LSIM framework, the book shows how systemic coordination—rather than isolated interventions—can enhance the effectiveness of livelihood strategies and improve long-term developmental prospects.

By exploring key themes such as globalisation, gender inequality, social capital, and the critical role of education and policy reform, the book sets out to solve the pressing problem of how fragile states can transform livelihood systems into sustainable pathways for development. Its central argument is that Sierra Leone’s future prosperity depends on recognising and strengthening informal and diverse livelihood strategies, while simultaneously reforming institutions, investing in human capital, and adopting inclusive, climate-smart policies. The LSIM approach reinforces this argument by illustrating how integrated, system-wide efforts can generate more coherent and sustainable outcomes than fragmented policy responses.

As such, this volume will be of interest to researchers and students in development economics and African studies, as well as policymakers, researchers, and practitioners working on livelihoods, poverty reduction, and inclusive growth in fragile and low-income economies.