AYV News, July 27, 2026
The Gento Group has taken a significant step toward transforming Sierra Leone’s maritime and logistics sector with an investment of over $30 million in the Kent–Banana Island Port project, government officials announced during an inspection visit to the site this week.
The visit was led by Chief Minister Dr. David MoininaSengeh and included officials from the Ministry of Transportation and Aviation as well as the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority. The delegation toured the ongoing construction works at the Kent Port, which forms part of a broader $75 million investment initiative being undertaken by businessman Gento Kamara and his partners.
Speaking after the inspection, Dr. Sengeh described the project as a clear example of government and private sector collaboration delivering tangible results. He noted that the investment had progressed from an idea discussed in meetings and cabinet deliberations to an active development project.
According to Mr. Kamara, the project currently employs more than 600 workers, the majority of whom are Sierra Leoneans. He said that although the company is working with Italian partners, most of the technical experts, engineers, and designers involved in the project are local professionals.
The government also holds shares in the project, and Dr. Sengeh reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations to ensure the success of the venture.
The Chief Minister explained that the expansion of port activity in Freetown has increased cargo volumes by more than 170 percent year-on-year, creating congestion at the existing facilities. He warned that prolonged congestion could contribute to rising costs and inflation if additional capacity is not created.
He disclosed that the government is pursuing several port-related investments, including the JMB Fishing Port in Black Johnson, while also exploring opportunities for specialised mining ports.
Environmental concerns surrounding the Kent development have been raised by some stakeholders, but Mr. Kamara assured the delegation that the company is working closely with relevant institutions to ensure compliance with environmental standards and the protection of coastal ecosystems.
Dr. Sengeh linked the project to President Julius Maada Bio’s recent call for faster delivery across all sectors and his appeal at the ECOWAS summit for African nations to move from “Commitment to Transformation.” He said the Kent investment represents that transition from planning to action and from promises to measurable development outcomes.
The Kent–Banana Island project is expected to strengthen Sierra Leone’s port infrastructure, create jobs, reduce pressure on Freetown Port, and support the country’s broader economic transformation agenda.
