Investment Policy Monitor
-
UNCTAD has been collecting information on changes in national foreign direct investment (FDI) policies on an annual basis since 1992. This collection has provided input to the analysis of global and regional investment policy trends in the World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Monitors and the UNCTAD-OECD Reports on G20 Measures.
In 2024, to further strengthen the quality of reporting, UNCTAD revised the methodology of monitoring investment policy measures. and revised the measures going back to 2012 accordingly.
The Investment Policy Monitor provides the international investment community with country-specific, up-to-date information about the latest developments in foreign investment policies.
Through its monitoring of investment policy changes, UNCTAD offers cutting-edge and innovative contributions to investment policy discourse, and contributes to preparing the ground for future policymaking in the interest of making foreign investment work for sustainable development.
-
The UNCTAD's Investment Policy Monitor database include official measures affecting FDI adopted by United Nations Member States. These encompass measures explicitly targeting FDI (FDI-specific), as well as general investment measures with a clear impact on foreign investment (FDI-related). The measures are either reported directly to UNCTAD by Member States through annual surveys or identified by UNCTAD researchers through publicly accessible sources (such as government websites and specialized policy databases). The classification of measures as more or less favourable is based solely on their potential impact on investors.
Note: Measures are verified, to the fullest extent possible, by referencing government sources. The compilation of measures is not exhaustive.
Disclaimer: the boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
Share





Latest publications

- Home >
- Investment Policy Monitor >
- Sierra Leone - The Finance Act 2025 introduces new investment incentives
Sierra Leone
The Finance Act 2025 introduces new investment incentives
08 Jan 2025On 8 January 2025, Sierra Leone adopted the Finance Act 2025, which introduces several measures to incentivize investment. In particular:
Businesses registered in Sierra Leone with at least 20 per cent local ownership are eligible for exemptions, including: - A five-year exemption if they employ at least 100 full-time workers and invest a minimum of $5 million. - A ten-year exemption if they employ at least 150 full-time workers and invest $7.5 million or more.
Duty-free importation of plants and machinery: - New businesses investing at least $10 million can import plants and machinery duty-free for three years. - Existing businesses expanding with a minimum investment of $5 million also qualify.
Duty-free importation for renewable energy products: - Specific exemptions apply to photovoltaic systems, energy-efficient appliances and other renewable energy products, provided investors meet certain conditions, such as a minimum investment of $500,000 and the employment of at least 50 workers.
Tax incentives for research and development (R&D): - A 125 per cent tax deduction is available for expenses related to R&D, training and export promotion, encouraging innovation and capacity building.
Agribusiness tax exemptions: - Agribusinesses meeting specific criteria—such as cultivating large areas or investing in livestock—are fully exempt from corporate income tax. - Farm machinery, agro-processing equipment, agro-chemicals and other key inputs qualify for import duty exemptions
-
Type:
- Promotion and facilitation (Investment incentives)
-
Industry:
- Not industry specific
- Primary (Agriculture, forestry and fishing)
- Manufacturing (Manufacture of food products, beverages and tobacco products)
- Services (Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, Scientific research and development)
-
Sources:
- Government Portal, The Finance Act 2025, https://mof.gov.sl/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/The-Finance-Act-2025.pdf, 16 Jan 2025
-
UNCTAD has been collecting information on changes in national foreign direct investment (FDI) policies on an annual basis since 1992. This collection has provided input to the analysis of global and regional investment policy trends in the World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Monitors and the UNCTAD-OECD Reports on G20 Measures.
In 2024, to further strengthen the quality of reporting, UNCTAD revised the methodology of monitoring investment policy measures. and revised the measures going back to 2012 accordingly.
The Investment Policy Monitor provides the international investment community with country-specific, up-to-date information about the latest developments in foreign investment policies.
Through its monitoring of investment policy changes, UNCTAD offers cutting-edge and innovative contributions to investment policy discourse, and contributes to preparing the ground for future policymaking in the interest of making foreign investment work for sustainable development.
-
The UNCTAD's Investment Policy Monitor database include official measures affecting FDI adopted by United Nations Member States. These encompass measures explicitly targeting FDI (FDI-specific), as well as general investment measures with a clear impact on foreign investment (FDI-related). The measures are either reported directly to UNCTAD by Member States through annual surveys or identified by UNCTAD researchers through publicly accessible sources (such as government websites and specialized policy databases). The classification of measures as more or less favourable is based solely on their potential impact on investors.
Note: Measures are verified, to the fullest extent possible, by referencing government sources. The compilation of measures is not exhaustive.
Disclaimer: the boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
Share





Latest publications
