Freetown, 19 June 2025 – The Government of Sierra Leone and U.S.-based engineering company Acrow have signed a long-awaited Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to finance and build the Freetown–Lungi Bridge under a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) model.
The signing was attended by U.S. Ambassador Bryan Hunt, who expressed strong confidence in the partnership’s success.
Acrow brings more than 70 years of bridge-building expertise, having completed projects in over 150 countries—including more than 40 in Africa—utilizing advanced American technology, engineering standards, and project management practices.
The U.S. government has pledged support to ensure the venture benefits both nations.
Today, travelers between Freetown and Lungi International Airport must endure a three-hour journey by boat or road, fraught with logistical and safety challenged.
The 7–8 km bridge is expected to dramatically improve access, boost tourism, enhance trade, and stimulate job creation across Western and Port Loko districts.
First pledged by President Bio during the 2018 campaign, the bridge has been a flagship promise that faced multiple delays due to funding and technical hurdles.
A Request for Expressions of Interest launched in 2019 drew bidders through a PPP/BOOT framework . Initial budget estimates ranged from $1.2 billion to $2 billion, with final costs expected between $1.15 billion and $1.5 billion.
A separate Memorandum signed in December 2023 with China Road and Bridge Corporation set terms for technical design and possible construction, with works projected to start in late 2024. This deals with parallel arrangements, and details continue to evolve.
Government officials, including Lands Minister Dr. Turad Senesie, have held high-level meetings with U.S. investors to firm up timelines, funding mechanics, and commercial frameworks.
Under BOOT, Acrow will finance, build, operate, and eventually transfer the bridge back to the state after a concession period (likely 30–35 years). Construction could take 3–6 years, with a design lifespan of 120 years.
