By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Sierra Leone’s transport sector is set for a dramatic transformation as Minister of Transport and Aviation, Alhaji Fanday Turay, has revealed plans to reintroduce commercial train services in the country. The announcement came during the historic U.S. edition of the Civic Day Series hosted by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) in New Carrollton, Maryland, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
The Civic Day Series, launched to bring Government closer to citizens both at home and abroad, showcased Sierra Leone’s progress under President Julius Maada Bio’s administration. For the hundreds of Sierra Leoneans in attendance, the news about reviving train transportation marked one of the most ambitious projects yet unveiled to the diaspora.
Rail transport once played a pivotal role in Sierra Leone, linking major communities, transporting goods and stimulating trade across the nation. The closure of the railway decades ago left a significant gap in the country’s infrastructure. Minister Alhaji Fanday Turay said the Government is determined to restore this historic system to improve connectivity and economic opportunities.
“His Excellency has a vision to also have a train in Sierra Leone. To accomplish that, we have already established an agency and they will start now to do the research. Just after the research, they will meet with business people and I think this is an opportunity for the diasporas as well,” Minister Alhaji Fanday Turay explained.
Calling on Sierra Leoneans abroad to seize the opportunity, he added: “If you know you have a connection with a company that would be interested in doing this project, please after this briefing, you can contact us so we can get on the project together.”
Minister Alhaji Fanday Turay used the platform to outline the achievements of his Ministry, particularly the introduction of the “Waka Fine” bus system. The buses, which operate daily including weekends, have eased transportation challenges for thousands of citizens in Freetown.
“Since President Bio came back for the second time, I am sure that you know about the Waka Fine Bus System that has been introduced which has limited the transportation issue of citizens in the country. Per day, these buses carry over 35,000 people every day within Freetown,” he stated.
The Minister also revealed that his Ministry is considering solutions for rural transportation, ensuring that mobility challenges outside the capital are addressed. One major success already recorded is the decentralization of licensing services, now available across every district.
Concerns about the rising number of road accidents dominated part of the Civic Day discussions. Minister Alhaji Fanday Turay acknowledged the problem and assured citizens that steps are being taken to curb the issue.
“To reduce the high number of accidents on the upline roads, the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) has set up a team based in Mile 91 that monitors traffic and removes overcrowded vehicles. Citizens can also report issues using the hotline 844,” he said.
He noted that mobile patrol units have been introduced on major highways to monitor traffic and provide emergency support when needed.
In addition to land transportation, Minister Alhaji Fanday Turay disclosed that reforms are being considered in Sierra Leone’s aviation sector. Among them is a possible review of the $25 airport security fee, which many travelers have long criticized as burdensome.
“This is part of the reforms we are looking into, to make travel more affordable and convenient for Sierra Leoneans and international passengers alike,” he said.
The Civic Day Series itself was another milestone achievement for MoICE, under the leadership of Minister Chernor Bah. The initiative has institutionalized weekly Government Press Conferences, monthly civic engagements in the provinces and now international editions to engage directly with citizens abroad.
The U.S. edition reflected President Julius Maada Bio’s vision of bridging the information gap between the Government and the people. According to organizers, it underscored the administration’s commitment to accountability, citizen engagement and national development.
Minister Chernor Bah, in his remarks, described the event as a clear demonstration of the Government’s openness and determination to listen to its citizens. For Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora, the series provided a platform to directly interact with decision-makers, voice concerns and explore opportunities to contribute to national development.
Reintroducing a nationwide railway network will require significant investment, technical expertise and international partnerships. However, Government officials believe that the long-term benefits, reduced travel costs, expanded trade opportunities and stronger national cohesion, far outweigh the challenges.
For many Sierra Leoneans, the return of trains is more than an infrastructure project; it is a restoration of national pride. The initiative could also position Sierra Leone as a transport hub in the sub-region, especially as the Government pursues wider goals of modernization and regional integration under ECOWAS.
The conclusion of the Civic Day Series in New Carrollton carried a clear but ambitious message from Minister Alhaji Fanday Turay to Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad: the future of transport in Sierra Leone is changing and every citizen has a role to play in driving that transformation.
