FREETOWN, Sierra Leone – Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh has commended the Gento Group for its more than $30 million investment in the Kent Port development, describing the project as a major milestone in Sierra Leone’s drive to modernise its maritime infrastructure and accelerate economic transformation.
Speaking after visiting the project site in Kent, Dr. Sengeh said the investment reflects the government’s commitment to turning ambitious development plans into reality. The visit followed discussions with President Julius Maada Bio, who had urged greater urgency in delivering key national infrastructure projects.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Minister of Transport and Aviation Fanday Turay, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, and the Harbour Master of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority.
Dr. Sengeh said the Kent Port project had progressed from an initial concept through a series of consultations and Cabinet approval to its current stage of implementation, calling it a clear example of effective collaboration between the government and the private sector.
Gento Group Chairman Mohamed Gento Kamara informed the delegation that the company has invested more than $30 million of a planned $75 million into the Kent-Banana Island project.
He added that the project currently employs over 600 people, with the majority of its engineers, technical experts and designers being Sierra Leoneans, alongside Italian partners.
The Chief Minister also disclosed that the Government of Sierra Leone holds equity in the project and reaffirmed its commitment to meeting its obligations as a stakeholder.
He said the new port development is expected to help ease congestion at the Port of Freetown, where cargo volumes have increased by more than 170 percent year-on-year.
According to Dr. Sengeh, expanding port capacity is essential to preventing supply bottlenecks that could increase import costs and fuel inflation.
Beyond Kent, the government is also pursuing other maritime infrastructure projects, including the JMB Fishing Port at Black Johnson and plans for additional mining ports to support the country’s growing economy.
Addressing concerns over the environmental impact of the Kent Port development, Dr. Sengeh said Gento Group has assured the government that it is working closely with relevant regulatory agencies to ensure the project complies with environmental standards and safeguards the surrounding ecosystem.
He described the investment as a significant contribution to Sierra Leone’s development agenda and said it reflects the country’s determination to move “from commitment to transformation” through strategic public-private partnerships.
