By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The TAF Salone Micro City at John Obey was officially commissioned on Friday, December 19, 2025, by President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, marking the launch of Sierra Leone’s first large-scale, smart, green and master-planned housing estate. The landmark development represents a major milestone in the country’s efforts to address its long-standing housing deficit through effective public-private partnerships.
Developed by TAF Africa Global, the Micro City comprises 5,000 housing units designed to provide safe, dignified and affordable living for Sierra Leoneans at home and in the diaspora. The estate features modern water reticulation systems, energy-efficient power supply, recreational facilities, green spaces, religious centres, community centres and a secure, family-friendly environment.
The affordable housing apartments form part of TAF Africa Global’s commitment to delivering quality housing solutions in Sierra Leone. When fully completed, the Micro City will offer a comprehensive range of amenities, including shops, a market, business centres, a petrol station, a multi-hub transit system, a health centre, a police post, fire services, primary and secondary schools, a mosque, a church and a cemetery.
Commissioning the project at a colourful ceremony attended by senior Government officials, private sector partners, homeowners and community residents, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio described the development as a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved through vision, discipline and effective collaboration between Government and the private sector.
Standing at the foothills of John Obey, the President reflected on the rapid progress of the project, noting that less than 36 months after the signing of the Joint Venture Agreement with TAF Africa Global, the ambitious vision had been transformed into a tangible reality.
“Today at John Obey, I proudly launched the first phase of TAF Salone Micro City, a groundbreaking step forward,” President Dr. Julius Maada Bio said. “Affordable housing stands as a vital pillar of my Government’s dedication to the great people of Sierra Leone.”
The President added that the project offers renewed hope to Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora, assuring them of a safe and well-planned community to which they can confidently return.
“Our brothers and sisters in the diaspora can now return home with confidence, to a vibrant community where they can live, thrive and find peace,” he stated.
Describing the development as more than a housing estate, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio emphasized that the Micro City represents a new chapter in Sierra Leone’s urban development journey. He disclosed that the first phase consists of 1,100 affordable luxury homes, thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of young professionals, senior citizens and diaspora residents seeking to retire or resettle in Sierra Leone.
According to the President, the commissioning of the first phase symbolizes a transition from vision to results, from aspiration to action and from what he described as the “empty promises of the past” to the “Tok and Do” governance philosophy of his administration.
“The Sierra Leone we are becoming is not defined by the challenges we face today or the limitations of yesterday,” President Dr. Julius Maada Bio said. “It will be shaped by steady, disciplined choices, guided by confidence, clarity and purpose as we prepare for tomorrow.”
He reaffirmed that affordable housing remains a cornerstone of his Government’s development agenda, noting that the project directly supports the Big Five Game Changers by promoting human capital development, creating thousands of jobs during the construction phase and stimulating economic activity across multiple sectors.
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio further assured that once the full 5,000 housing units are completed, Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad will have the opportunity to own a meaningful stake in their country, thereby strengthening national attachment and economic inclusion.
Highlighting the importance of collaboration, the President described the Micro City as a clear testament to what can be achieved when Government and the private sector work in harmony.
“This is the first housing project implemented under the Public-Private Partnership model and with this project and others in the pipeline, we will make significant progress in addressing the housing challenge,” he said.
He added that the Micro City offers far more than shelter, pointing to reliable water and electricity supply, green spaces and enhanced security as defining features of the estate.
The Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa Global, Mustapha Njie, expressed appreciation to President Dr. Julius Maada Bio for commissioning the project and described the occasion as the fulfilment of visionary leadership.
“Your Excellency, we are in Sierra Leone because of your call and visionary leadership. Thank you for creating an enabling environment for investment. This achievement reflects the journey we have undertaken together,” Mustapha Njie stated.
The Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie, commended President Dr. Julius Maada Bio for prioritizing reforms in the land and housing sector. He noted that the enactment of key legislation, including the Customary Land Rights Act and the National Country Planning Act, has strengthened transparency, inclusivity and fairness in land ownership, particularly addressing long-standing challenges related to land tenure, title certification and discrimination against women.
Dr. Turad Senesie emphasized that the commissioning of the TAF Salone Micro City fulfils a manifesto commitment of the Bio administration to ensure that Sierra Leoneans live in dignity through the creation of an enabling environment for sustainable private investment in the housing sector.
Earlier, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio formally commissioned the first completed affordable housing units within the Micro City, describing the project as proof that ambitious ideas can become reality when vision is matched with decisive action.
“This is one of those projects many people said was impossible, but as Nelson Mandela said, it is always impossible until it is done. Today, it is done,” the President remarked.
The Managing Director of TAF Africa Global, Mustapha Njie, attributed the success of the project to strong political will and an enabling policy environment supported by key Ministries, including Lands, Finance, Justice and Foreign Affairs.
The General Manager of TAF Salone, Ms. Anita Yata Sey, said the commissioning marked the birth of a new community rather than the mere delivery of houses, describing the Micro City as a thoughtfully planned environment offering affordable luxury and dignified living.
The Board Chairman of TAF Salone, Yada Williams, noted that Sierra Leone faces an estimated housing deficit of nearly 900,000 units, adding that the TAF Salone Micro City represents a direct and practical response to a pressing national challenge.
As Government and the private sector continue to deepen collaboration, the commissioning of the TAF Salone Micro City stands as a strong signal of Sierra Leone’s commitment to inclusive growth, sustainable urban development and an improved quality of life for its people.
