Sierra Leone, with its fertile land and plentiful mines, contains ample fishery, agricultural and mineral resources. It is most well-known for its diamonds, which comprise half of the country's exports. After mining, its major exports are rutile, cocoa, coffee and fish. Sierra Leone's major import/export partner is Germany, followed by the Cote D'Ivoire, the UK and the US.

Mining
Sierra Leone's government recently rehabilitated the bauxite and rutile industries, adding two burgeoning industries to the country's rich extraction potential. Rutile is a titanium ore used in paint and welding. Sierra Leone has one of the largest deposits of rutile in the world. An example of the high earnings rutile exports garnished was in 1990, when $75 million, or 88,000 tons of the ore, was exported.

Sierra Leone is also contains a wealth of titanium ore, iron ore, bauxite, gold and chromite mines. It has long been known for its high number of diamond mines. The diamond mining industry is increasingly subject to regulation and improved standards of work. Initiatives include a USAID-sponsored move to label diamonds that come from local, sustainable sources.

In 2000, Sierra Leone diamonds began going through an export certification system approved by the UN. As a result, legal exports increased. One year later, the government founded a community development fund that funnels a percentage of diamond export taxes back to mining communities, raising their stake in the diamond trade.

Manufacturing
Raw materials processing and manufacturing are a growing industry in Sierra Leone. Raw materials processed include foodstuffs such as palm kernels and rice. Products manufactured include footwear, beverages, salt, cement and textiles for domestic consumption.  

Agriculture
52.5% of the Sierra Leonean population engage in subsistence agriculture (US Department of State). In 2000, agriculture comprised roughly half of the country's GDP.  Mainstays include rice and millet, with tomatoes, yams, cassava, peanuts, pineapples, coconut and pepper as additional staples. Coffee, cocoa and palm kernel are major exports. 30% of Sierra Leone's land is potentially arable. It is also rich in forests and fresh water.

Agriculture is a focal point for redevelopment. The national government is assisting this recovery through efforts to increase cash and food crop production as well as teaching farmers updated skills. It is also involved with outside donors in agricultural and rural development projects, leading to an improved food supply.

Fisheries
Sierra Leone has a large natural harbor that can accommodate cruise ships, cargo ships and private vessels. It is known for its abundant inshore and offshore fishing, which includes shrimp, tuna, snapper, lobster, crab and mackerel. Domestic, or artisanal fishing occurs mostly at inshore estuaries, lakes and rivers, while larger (often foreign-owned) vessels trawl for shrimp, a main export, and other catches offshore.

Construction
Cement mills and other sources of materials are helping residences and commercial real estate spring up all over the country. There are several real estate developers in Sierra Leone. Together with engineering consultants, they are overseeing reconstruction. Other initiatives include an affordable housing industry and machinery manufacturers. In 2005, the World Bank approved completion of the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project (BHP), a hydroelectric power plant projected to help stabilize the country's power supply by the end of 2007.

Service
The services industry is Sierra Leone's third-largest industry, employing roughly 17% Sierra Leoneans. Services include tourism, banking and retail. Its banks include the Bank of Sierra Leone,  National Development Bank and the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank. Retail employs a considerable percentage of locals, especially in cities. Notable are Sierra Leoneans' entrepreneurial and artisan skills, such as woodcarving. 

Investment Climate
A World Bank Convention arbitration agreement protects foreign investors by providing legislation around capital, interest and dividend transfer. Additionally, the 2004 Investment Protection Act, a government initiative, works with international banks to lower administrative trade barriers. In business terms, the government is relatively small: total expenditures are roughly 25% of GDP, and the state does not make much revenue from the businesses it owns. Starting a business in Sierra Leone takes an average of about 26 days, relatively fast when compared to other nations. Finally, government efforts are shifting from stabilization to poverty reduction, efforts which include job creation, food security and attracting further investment.