By Alex Lawrence Koroma
In a spirited session of Sierra Leone’s Parliament on Thursday, August 20, 2026, opposition Member of Parliament, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, popularly known as AKK, called on the newly appointed Minister of Finance, Karefa AF Kargbo, and the government to give urgent priority to the development of the Kent Port project. His appeal underscores the critical need to expand the country’s maritime infrastructure to support economic growth and alleviate the congestion at existing ports.
Hon. Kamara, representing the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC), highlighted a pressing issue facing Sierra Leone’s economy—the overcrowding and limited capacity of current port facilities, particularly the Freetown port. “The quay is tight and overcrowded. There is a need to have another port to boost the country’s economy,” he stated emphatically during parliamentary proceedings. His call resonates with economic experts and business leaders who have long emphasized the importance of robust maritime infrastructure for Sierra Leone’s development.
The Kent Port project, which is part of the broader Kent Port and Harbour development initiative, has attracted significant attention over recent months. It is seen as a vital component in expanding Sierra Leone’s maritime capacity, enabling the country to better handle increasing cargo volumes, facilitate trade, and reduce the logistical bottlenecks that currently hamper economic activities.
Hon. Kamara urged the new Finance Minister to prioritize the project’s development, emphasizing that its successful implementation could support the movement of goods and services, ultimately boosting national revenue. “It is important that we boost the Kent project because the need is there,” he reiterated, stressing that delays could undermine Sierra Leone’s economic potential.
This appeal coincides with ongoing efforts by the Gento Group of Companies, led by CEO Mohamed Gento Kamara, to realize the project’s full potential. The company holds a 90% stake in the multi-million-dollar port initiative, with the Sierra Leone government possessing a 10% equity share under the ratified concession agreement. The government committed to providing $20 million in equity funding or a concessional loan to facilitate the project’s development.
Gento Kamara reports that his company has already invested heavily in the project, completing critical feasibility studies and preparing for a December 2026 operational start. However, progress has been hampered by delays in the release of the promised funds from the government. During recent parliamentary oversight sessions and site inspections attended by officials such as Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, and Transport Minister, Fanday Turay, Gento Group renewed calls for the immediate release of the $20 million funding.
The company argues that securing the funds will not only lower private financing burdens, but also ensure the project stays on schedule. The deep-water transshipment hub at Kent Port is expected to significantly ease congestion at the Freetown port, which has been struggling to accommodate the growing volume of imports and exports.
State officials have repeatedly reaffirmed their commitment to the project, emphasizing its long-term economic benefits. They maintain that the development of Kent Port aligns with Sierra Leone’s strategic economic goals, including improving logistics, attracting foreign direct investment, and creating jobs.
In conclusion, Hon. Kamara’s call to prioritize the Kent Port project underscores the urgent need for Sierra Leone to address its maritime infrastructure limitations. As the government considers the new Minister of Finance’s role in steering economic policies, the focus on accelerating key projects like Kent Port could prove transformative for the nation’s economic trajectory. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Sierra Leone can mobilize the necessary resources and political will to realize this vital infrastructure project and unlock its full economic potential.
