AYV News, July 17, 2025
Marking a significant step toward modernizing Sierra Leone’s port and harbour infrastructure, the Director General of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), Yakuba A. Bio, led a high-powered delegation to the Arab Republic of Egypt to strengthen bilateral cooperation in port development, maritime safety and logistics innovation.
The working visit, held from July 8 to 9, brought together key figures including Sierra Leone’s Minister of Transport and Aviation, the Ambassador to Egypt and other senior officials. They engaged with top Egyptian maritime authorities, notably Rear Admiral Hussein Elgheziry, Head of the Egyptian Authority for Maritime Safety. A highlight of the visit was an extensive tour of the Alexandria Port; one of Africa’s most advanced maritime hubs.
DG Yakuba A. Bio described Egypt’s port infrastructure as a model of what is achievable through strategic planning and investment. “Egypt’s example provides a clear blueprint for how strategic planning, investment and technical innovation can transform a nation’s maritime economy,” he remarked. “We are laying the groundwork for an ambitious but achievable transformation of Sierra Leone’s ports and inland logistics capabilities.”
During technical sessions and bilateral discussions, DG Yakuba A. Bio presented SLPHA’s forward-looking vision for Sierra Leone’s maritime sector. Central to this vision is the establishment of a modern Inland Container Dry Port near Freetown or at another strategic trade location.
That facility is expected to serve as a logistics hub for customs clearance and cargo distribution, easing pressure on seaports and enhancing trade routes to the interior and neighboring countries like Guinea and Mali.
The delegation also shared detailed plans from SLPHA’s ongoing modernization strategy, including:
• Formulation of a 25-Year National Port Master Plan to provide strategic direction for infrastructure development.
• Enhancement of Inland Connectivity, emphasizing improved road and rail links to regional trade corridors.
• Construction of a Port Reception Facility at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay to meet international environmental standards.
• Implementation of a National Electronic Single-Window System to improve cargo clearance, transparency and efficiency.
• Deployment of a Modern Security Access Control System at Queen Elizabeth II Quay to boost safety and cargo monitoring.
Those initiatives are aligned with Sierra Leone’s national development agenda and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) goals, which aim to create a seamless, competitive and sustainable trade environment across Africa.
In a demonstration of solidarity and mutual interest, Egypt committed to supporting Sierra Leone’s port sector development through three major avenues:
1. Technical Assistance: Egyptian engineers will collaborate with SLPHA in drafting and implementing master plans for new port infrastructure and inland logistics zones.
2. Training and Capacity Building: Egypt will offer fully funded training programs for marine engineers and pilots, focusing on Flag State Procedures and Port State Control mechanisms.
3. Private Sector Engagement: Egyptian authorities expressed willingness to encourage joint ventures and private investment to establish direct maritime shipping routes between Sierra Leone and key Egyptian ports like Alexandria and Damietta. This would reduce shipping costs and increase trade volumes.
The delegation’s tour of Alexandria Port revealed key insights into operational excellence, digital transformation and sustainable port management. These takeaways will directly inform Sierra Leone’s own infrastructure upgrades and administrative reforms.
DG Yakuba A. Bio emphasized the broader vision of the visit: “We are not just improving our ports; we are building a trade network that connects Sierra Leone to the region and the world. These partnerships will help us turn plans into action.”
The Director General closed the visit by reaffirming SLPHA’s commitment to sustainable development, private sector collaboration and regional integration. “This cooperation marks the beginning of a new era for Sierra Leone’s maritime sector,” he concluded.
The strategic engagement underscores Sierra Leone’s determination to reposition itself as a competitive trade and logistics hub in West Africa, leveraging regional partnerships and global best practices to drive inclusive growth and economic resilience.
