President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has commended progress on the Gento Group Seaport Project at Kent Village, describing the development as a major investment with the potential to strengthen Sierra Leone’s economy, create jobs and reduce congestion at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown.
The President made the statement during a discussion with journalists and civil society activists last Friday July 31, 2026 at Torma Bum Bonthe District, following an update from Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, who recently visited the project site.
Dr. David Moinina Sengeh told President Bio that significant work had been undertaken at the port and expressed confidence that the facility could help ease pressure on the country’s main seaport in Freetown once it becomes operational.
The Chief Minister also praised journalists and Civil Society Organisations for monitoring and reporting on Government development programmes.
Responding, President Bio said he had personally visited the Kent Seaport Project and was impressed by the level of progress achieved.
“I am also impressed with the development and I am happy that you, the journalists and civil society activists, have witnessed the progress,” President Bio said.
He encouraged the Gento Group of Companies to continue implementing the project, stressing that it could contribute significantly to Sierra Leone’s economic transformation.
“I encouraged Gento to keep up the project because I strongly believe it has the potential to transform the nation’s economy,” he said.
President Bio further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency and national development, telling the gathering that his Government had nothing to hide.
“I am running an open and transparent Government and my goal is to make Sierra Leone a better place for us all,” he stated.
Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, has also reportedly expressed support for the Kent Seaport Project. He described the development as an important investment capable of helping to address congestion at the Freetown port.
The project, estimated to cost more than US$70 million, has attracted interest from Government officials, opposition politicians, Civil Society groups and the media.
An agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Gento Group of Companies reportedly provides for US$20 million in Government counterpart funding. However, the company says the funding has not yet been provided.
Chief Executive Officer of the Gento Group of Companies, Mohamed Gento Kamara, recently disclosed that he had already invested more than US$30 million in the project. He acknowledged that the substantial financial demands associated with the development had become a major challenge.
“I am presently challenged because of the huge financial costs involved,” Mohamed Gento Kamara told journalists.
He said an additional US$40 million would enable the company to begin port operations by December, adding that the facility could support the Government’s economic agenda and create more than 1,000 employment opportunities for Sierra Leoneans.
“I strongly believe that with US$40 million, I will be able to start operations in December this year. This will greatly support the Government, add value to the economy and provide employment opportunities for over 1,000 Sierra Leoneans,” he stated.
Members of Parliament from the main opposition All People’s Congress and the governing Sierra Leone People’s Party also recently conducted an assessment visit to the project site. The lawmakers reportedly expressed satisfaction with the progress and pledged to support efforts aimed at ensuring the Government fulfils its obligations under the agreement.
Despite the broad support received from stakeholders, financing remains a significant obstacle to completing the project. Observers have argued that public-private infrastructure projects of this scale require timely Government counterpart funding to attract additional investment and accelerate implementation.
They maintained that completing the Kent Seaport Project could improve maritime operations, reduce pressure on the Freetown port, support trade and generate employment.
Stakeholders are therefore calling for stronger collaboration between the Government and the Gento Group of Companies to mobilize the funding required completing the project and making the facility operational.
