I believe President Julius Maada Bio’s administration is pursuing a broader economic vision for Lungi and the wider Port Loko District. These investments could help establish a new economic hub in Sierra Leone, with opportunities extending beyond our borders to the wider West African region.
Those familiar with the old Lungi Airport will appreciate the transformation that has taken place. The new Freetown International Airport offers visitors a better first impression of Sierra Leone. Combined with the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Center, the ECOWAS logistics depot and agricultural investments linked to the #FeedSalone initiative, Lungi’s potential extends far beyond aviation.
With the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS 2026) scheduled to take place in Lungi this November, Sierra Leone has an opportunity to translate this potential into business, investment and employment.
However, the government cannot do everything alone. The private sector must recognize the bigger picture and invest in quality hotels, housing, shopping centres, recreational facilities and reliable transport services. Lungi should become more than a gateway for arriving and departing passengers; it should be a destination where visitors stay, spend money and conduct business.
Local communities also have an important role to play. Residents must help keep their neighbourhoods clean, protect the environment and acquire the skills needed to benefit from emerging opportunities. Local councils and traditional authorities must ensure proper urban planning, safeguard community interests and prevent uncontrolled development.
Arusha in Tanzania offers a useful example of how conferences, tourism and business can contribute to the growth of an international destination. Lungi could pursue a similar path by building on its strategic location, airport infrastructure and potential to attract investment.
A well-developed Lungi could create jobs, stimulate economic activity across Port Loko District and help ease some of the pressure on Freetown.
I commend President Bio for the investments made in Lungi. Regardless of our political affiliations, we should assess these developments on their potential to advance national growth while demanding accountability, value for money and tangible benefits for ordinary Sierra Leoneans.
The ambition must go beyond having a modern airport and an international conference centre. It must be about developing a well-planned urban area where people can live, work, invest and prosper.
Ultimately, Lungi’s transformation will require sustained government commitment, private-sector investment, community participation and effective planning. The benefits must reach local residents and create opportunities that endure beyond any single administration.
Governments will come and go, but Sierra Leone remains our common home. Developing it is our collective responsibility.