FREETOWN, 17th October 2026 – The Government of Sierra Leone has signed contracts for the construction of four major climate-resilient bridges under the US$74 million World Bank-funded Sierra Leone Connectivity and Agricultural Market Infrastructure Project (SL-CAMIP).
The contracts were signed on Friday, 16th October 2026, at the Ministry of Transport and Aviation’s conference room at Youyi Building, by the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Ambassador Col. (Rtd) Alhaji Fanday Turay.
The project, funded through a World Bank International Development Association (IDA) grant approved in May 2024, is aimed at ending decades of reliance on unsafe hand-pulled ferries and dugout canoes in rural riverine communities.
Two international contractors will deliver the projects:
– Matiere and Secon JV (Lot 1) will construct the bridges at Komrabai in Tonkolili District and Kabba in Karene District.
– China Railway Seventh Group – CRSG (Lot 2) will construct the bridges at Sumbuya in Bo District and Moselolo in Moyamba District.
The four bridges, with spans between 130 and 215 meters, are designed to be climate-resilient to withstand flooding and heavy rainfall that often cuts off rural communities during the rainy season.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Turay said the signing marks a critical milestone in government’s drive to improve all-season connectivity and support the Feed Salone agenda. He urged the contractors to deliver quality work within the agreed timelines and budgets.
“The construction of these bridges is a critical step towards ensuring food security and increasing local incomes,” the Minister said. “We will work closely with the contractors to ensure compliance with safety, quality and environmental standards.”
According to the Ministry, only one-third of rural Sierra Leoneans currently have access to an all-season road. The lack of bridges has led to post-harvest losses, high transport costs, and isolation of farming communities from markets, schools and health centres.
Under SL-CAMIP, the bridges are expected to reduce travel time by 30%, increase the volume of agricultural produce reaching markets by over 75%, and benefit over 2 million rural residents.
The project also includes rehabilitation of rural markets, construction of aggregation centres, and creation of a Bridge and Road Management System for sustainable maintenance.
The contractors have been instructed to prioritize local jobs for youth and women and adhere strictly to occupational safety and environmental safeguards.
Construction works are expected to commence in the coming weeks.
