Sierra Leone Faces Economic Transition Sierra Leone like the rest of the world's 50 poorest nations is urbanizing without creating productive non-farm jobs. In the 2006 Least Developed Countries Report it has been stated "Least Developed Countries (LDCs) must find a way to foster viable businesses and expand non-agricultural employment when world markets are more competitive than ever and their own markets are wide open". In Sierra Leone, if this employment challenge is not effectively dealt with, there will be increased pressure for international migration to industrialized countries. Without sustained effort to build the productive base of the country , it is also likely that there will be uncertain future for the poverty-stricken coastal West African country. Agriculture use to employ 70% of the labour force but between 1992 to 2002 when the war raged in the country many of the youths either joined the fighting factions or migrated. The adults were also forced to migrate. With many inadequacies still characterising rural communities and low incentives for farming coupled with primitive technology and belief in superstition the economically active population in agriculture is dwindling.(read more)