By: Saidu Jalloh
The Sierra Leone Railway Authority has outlined an ambitious vision to transform the nation’s transportation infrastructure through the development, regulation, and coordination of national railway and cable car systems.
Speaking on behalf of the Authority, Director General Ing. Dr. Albert Forde emphasized that the project aims to build a modern transportation system that supports key sectors such as agriculture, mining, trade, tourism, and urban services. He stated, “This project is not just about laying tracks and building cable lines; it’s about ensuring safe, efficient, and affordable transportation that will unlock Sierra Leone’s economic potential and improve lives for generations to come.”
The Authority highlighted that the proposed railway infrastructure would serve as a vital alternative for transporting people and goods, particularly from rural farming areas to urban markets. Officials pointed out that the railway system would lower travel costs and reduce travel times, allowing farmers to retain more value from their produce, improving profitability, and contributing to the government’s Feed Salone flagship program aimed at enhancing food security. Sierra Leone currently operates a functional railway line under the Kingho Group, and Freetown already has a cable car system in place.
In addition, the Authority stressed that a nationwide rail network would enhance mining operations and logistics. Mining remains a critical pillar of Sierra Leone’s economy, and expanding the railway system would facilitate more efficient transportation of minerals.
Tourism was also identified as an area for potential growth. The Authority suggested that expanding cable car services to areas such as the Gola Forest and Wara Wara Mountains would improve accessibility to these tourist destinations, attracting more visitors, boosting local economies, and providing affordable travel alternatives.
A future project outlined by the Authority involves a light rail line running from Waterloo, through the Freetown Peninsula, to Romney. The availability of land along this route makes it a promising option for inclusion in the national transportation master plan.
Providing historical context, the Authority recalled that Sierra Leone once had an extensive colonial-era railway network connecting Freetown to Pendembu in the east and Kamakwie in the north. The Palm Line to the port area, which operated from the 1890s until its closure in the 1960s, was also a major route. While many of these lines are no longer in use, officials noted that the goal is not to simply revive them but to build a modern system tailored to current needs.
The Authority confirmed that comprehensive feasibility studies will be conducted to evaluate the technical viability and social value of proposed routes. These studies will involve broad consultations with stakeholders and may result in adjustments to the alignments of the colonial-era rail lines.
Officials positioned the revival of rail and cable car transport as a critical catalyst for economic growth, improved mobility, and regional integration. They believe these projects have the potential to reshape the way Sierra Leoneans live and travel.
Additionally, the Authority affirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to aligning with the ECOWAS Railway Master Plan, which seeks to link Sierra Leone to broader West African transport corridors and strengthen regional connectivity.