From improved port infrastructure and rising government revenues to digital reforms and new investment opportunities, Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority Director General Yankuba Askia Bio discusses the progress, challenges and priorities shaping the country’s maritime future.
For Sierra Leone, the Port of Freetown is more than a gateway for ships and cargo. It is a vital part of the national economy, connecting businesses to international markets, supporting industries and generating government revenue. With competition among West African ports growing and regional trade presenting new opportunities, the pressure to improve efficiency, expand infrastructure and attract investment has become increasingly important. At the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), Director General Yankuba Askia Bio is leading efforts to address these challenges while laying the groundwork for a more competitive maritime sector.
Under his leadership, the Authority reports significant improvements in infrastructure, operational efficiency and financial performance. Between 2023 and 2025, SLPHA transferred US$19 million in equity dividends from Freetown Terminal Limited to the Government of Sierra Leone, payments Bio describes as the first of their kind in the institution’s history. Berth improvements have strengthened the port’s capacity to accommodate larger vessels, including Panamax ships, while efforts to ease congestion, improve security and simplify cargo movement have brought changes to daily operations.
Bio is also looking beyond the immediate needs of the Port of Freetown. Plans for additional berths, inland container depots, improved road and railway connections, and possible new port developments around Kent and Banana Island form part of a wider ambition to strengthen Sierra Leone’s position in West African trade. The planned introduction of a Single Window System in March 2027 is expected to further simplify import and export procedures, reducing delays and improving transparency.
For Bio, however, the success of these reforms will ultimately depend on their impact on businesses, investors and ordinary Sierra Leoneans. He believes the country’s geographical advantages, combined with sustained investment and stronger institutions, could help establish Sierra Leone as a leading maritime and logistics hub in the region.
In this exclusive interview with PAV, the SLPHA Director General discusses the Authority’s achievements, the challenges still confronting the ports sector, opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area, and his priorities for the years ahead. He also reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave behind, stressing that lasting progress must be measured by the strength of institutions rather than the personalities leading them.
The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) is the statutory body responsible for managing, coordinating, and regulating port and harbour activities within its jurisdiction. Originally established during the colonial era in the 1950s, the Authority was first governed by the Sierra Leone Ports Authority Act of 1964, which has since been repealed and replaced by the modern Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority Act No. 29 of 2023.
Our principal mandate is to ensure that Sierra Leone has a port system that is efficient, safe, secure, transparent, reliable, and competitive. Since 2010, we have operated under a landlord port model. This means that while core cargo-handling activities are undertaken by private concessionaires, SLPHA provides vital oversight, regulation, marine services, and landlord functions, ensuring all port activities comply with applicable laws and concession agreements.
SLPHA’s importance to the national economy cannot be overstated. The Port of Freetown is Sierra Leone’s principal maritime gateway. The imports and exports that move through our port support virtually every major productive sector. Therefore, when the port functions efficiently, it directly catalyzes trade facilitation, business activity, government revenue generation, employment, and overall economic growth. Our responsibility extends far beyond managing a physical port; we are managing a critical piece of the country’s economic infrastructure.
How would you assess the current state of the SLPHA today in terms of operational capacity, cargo handling, revenue generation, and overall performance? Could you share some figures that illustrate the Authority’s growth and contribution to the national economy?
He describes the current state of SLPHA as one of significant institutional and operational transformation, though we acknowledge there is always more work to be done.
He said a clear indicator of his success is the direct contribution to the government’s finances. Between 2023 and 2025, we transferred a total of US$19 million in equity shares from Freetown Terminal Limited to the Government of Sierra Leone (US$4 million in 2023, US$7 million in 2024, and US$8 million in 2025). These are the first times in the Authority’s history that such equity dividends have been paid to the central government, achieved under my tenure. Furthermore, we have contributed over Le 120 million to the Consolidated Fund through concession fees and royalties.
Operationally, we have achieved vital improvements in berth infrastructure and vessel handling. Under my leadership, we have completed two berth expansions, with a pending rehabilitation of berths 3 to 6. These upgrades have enabled larger vessels, including Panamax ships, to call at the Port of Freetown. We also increased the cargo storage grace period from 3 to 10 days excluding weekends and successfully lobbied the Bank of Sierra Leone to extend banking hours within the port community, ensuring seamless financial transactions for cargo movement.
However, performance is not measured by revenue alone. We have drastically reduced vessel turnaround times, which has directly increased our cargo volume. We have also up skilled our workforce, with over 70 security personnel receiving professional training to protect Sierra Leone’s gateway. To improve accountability, we introduced the Exit Gate Management System, a digital process that records and verifies the movement of vehicles and containers leaving the port. The story of SLPHA today is one of growing capacity, increased revenue, and a relentless drive toward efficiency and customer focus.
Looking back to when you assumed office, what was the condition of the institution you inherited, and in what key ways is the SLPHA different today under your leadership?
I did not inherit an institution starting from zero, nor did I have to build it from the ground up. Having already been part of the management structure, I witnessed the port sector’s evolution. What I inherited was an institution with a solid foundation that needed to be strengthened, modernized, and repositioned for the demands of contemporary maritime trade. My focus has been on accelerating that modernization process.
Today, we have placed a deliberate emphasis on operational efficiency, infrastructure improvement, safety, revenue mobilization, and staff development. More importantly, we have fully embraced our role as a landlord port authority. Our responsibility is to create the optimal environment for private operators and stakeholders to perform, while strictly ensuring compliance, accountability, and efficiency.
The difference today is palpable: SLPHA is now an institution focused on measurable performance. We no longer view the port merely as a place where cargo arrives, but as a strategic economic gateway capable of driving Sierra Leone’s wider development ambitions.
What would you consider the most significant achievements of your tenure so far, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development, operational efficiency, institutional reform, and service delivery?
Our achievements span several critical pillars:
Infrastructure & Berth Capacity: We have significantly improved berth capacity, strengthening our ability to receive and service larger vessels efficiently.
Operational Efficiency & Decongestion: We have worked closely with stakeholders to eliminate bottlenecks. A prime example is our recent multi-agency decongestion exercise, which brought together SLPHA, the National Revenue Authority (NRA), the Indigenous Transport Owners Association (ITOA), Freetown Terminal Limited (FTL), and the Sierra Leone Customs Brokers Union (SLCBRU) to seamlessly resolve container movement issues.
Institutional Reform: The enactment of the new SLPHA Act of 2023 provided the legal framework for our modern role, while we continue to strengthen internal compliance and performance management systems.
Technological Integration: We are progressively digitizing processes. Beyond the Exit Gate Management System, in March 2027, we will launch the ‘Single Window System’. This will ensure seamless importation and exportation, allowing our clients to conduct their port business from the comfort of their offices or homes.
Safety & Security: We recently deployed dedicated patrol vehicles to the Safety and Security departments to enhance monitoring and rapid response capabilities within the Queen Elizabeth II Quay.
Human Capital Development: A modern port requires skilled professionals. We have made staff training and capacity development the cornerstone of our transformation agenda.
Increase in revenue Generation: Between 2023 and 2025, we transferred a total of US$19 million in equity shares from Freetown Terminal Limited to the Government of Sierra Leone (US$4 million in 2023, US$7 million in 2024, and US$8 million in 2025).
Ports are often viewed as barometers of economic activity. What role does the SLPHA play in supporting Sierra Leone’s major economic sectors, including mining, agriculture, manufacturing, fisheries, and international trade?
The port is the central nervous system connected to the wider economy of Sierra Leone:
• Mining: We provide the maritime infrastructure for the movement of mineral commodities and heavy equipment. Our wider port system includes specialized facilities like Pepel, which serves the iron-ore sector.
• Agriculture: We facilitate the importation of agricultural inputs and machinery, while providing the export avenue for agricultural commodities to reach international markets.
• Manufacturing: This sector relies heavily on the reliable importation of raw materials and fuel. An efficient port reduces friction and lowers costs within the manufacturing supply chain.
• Fisheries & Blue Economy: We provide the infrastructure through which equipment, inputs, and products associated with the fisheries sector move.
• International Trade: As the principal entry and exit point for the nation’s cargo, every improvement in port efficiency has a direct, positive multiplier effect on the broader economy. Our role is to ensure the maritime gateway facilitates, rather than bottlenecks, economic activity.
Sierra Leone occupies a strategic position on the West African coast. How do you see the country’s ports contributing to regional trade and integration, particularly within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)?
Sierra Leone’s geographical position gives us a distinct advantage, but geography alone does not make a country a maritime hub. We must combine our location with world-class infrastructure, efficiency, reliability, and strong regional connectivity.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provides a framework for expanding intra-African trade. For Sierra Leone to capitalize on this, we need a port system capable of moving goods efficiently between our domestic market and other African economies. Our ambition is to strengthen the Port of Freetown as a premier maritime gateway and develop the wider logistics ecosystem around it. This includes improving port capacity, developing inland logistics connections, and encouraging investment in port-related infrastructure. A competitive port must serve not only domestic importers and exporters but also businesses across the wider West African region.
Investors often cite logistics and port efficiency as key considerations when choosing destinations for investment. What steps has the Authority taken to improve competitiveness, reduce bottlenecks, and make Sierra Leone a more attractive investment destination?
Investors want predictability. They need assurance that cargo can arrive, be processed, and move to its destination efficiently and securely. Our approach has been to address the entire port ecosystem rather than focusing on isolated components.
By improving infrastructure, strengthening stakeholder coordination, and introducing transparent digital systems, we are directly reducing the cost of doing business. Our multi-agency decongestion exercises are particularly vital, as port congestion creates hidden costs for importers, exporters, transporters, and ultimately, the consumer. We are also actively engaging potential investors and strategic partners regarding port expansion and new logistics infrastructure. Our objective is to create an environment where investment in Sierra Leone’s maritime sector is both commercially viable and strategically attractive.
Modern ports increasingly rely on technology and automation. How is the SLPHA embracing digital transformation to improve transparency, efficiency, security, and customer experience?
Digital transformation is no longer optional for a modern port; it is a necessity.
We have already advanced the digital management of cargo exit processes through our Exit Gate Management System, which creates a strict, verifiable audit trail for every container and vehicle leaving the port. However, our philosophy is that technology is not simply about putting computers into an existing process; it is about redesigning the process to make it faster, more transparent, and more accountable.
As we prepare to launch the Single Window System in March 2027, our long-term objective is to build a fully digitally connected port ecosystem where information flows seamlessly between all relevant stakeholders, drastically reducing manual interventions and enhancing the customer experience.
Infrastructure modernization remains a priority across Africa’s maritime sector. What major expansion or modernization projects are currently underway, and how will they transform Sierra Leone’s maritime capabilities in the years ahead?
Our infrastructure agenda is divided into immediate and long-term components. In the short term, we are optimizing the existing Port of Freetown, including the ongoing rehabilitation of berths 3 to 6, which has already allowed us to accommodate larger vessels.
Looking ahead, we are planning additional berths and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) to accommodate growing cargo volumes and decongest the Freetown port area. We are also examining the development of new port facilities in strategic locations, including proposed developments around Kent and Banana Island.
Crucially, we recognize that port expansion without efficient inland connectivity simply moves the bottleneck from the quay to the road. Therefore, railway connectivity, inland logistics, and multimodal cargo distribution are central to our master plan. Our ultimate objective is to create a port and logistics network that will support Sierra Leone’s growth for the next several decades.
President Julius Maada Bio has emphasized economic transformation and infrastructure development as key pillars of his administration. How important has government support been in advancing the Authority’s modernization agenda, and how would you describe your working relationship with the administration?
Government support is absolutely critical, as port infrastructure is a strategic national asset, and many long-term interventions go beyond the capacity of a single institution.
The Government’s broader development agenda provides the policy environment within which SLPHA operates. Our relationship with the administration is highly synergistic and institutional. We work closely with relevant ministries and agencies on infrastructure, transport connectivity, and trade facilitation. Where government policy demands stronger maritime infrastructure, SLPHA provides the technical and institutional response. For me, the relationship is about the alignment of national policy with institutional delivery. The government sets the visionary framework, and SLPHA executes within its mandate with professional discipline and accountability.
Despite the progress achieved, what are the most pressing challenges facing the SLPHA today, and what strategies are being pursued to overcome them?
Every growing port faces challenges, and Sierra Leone is no exception. As port activity grows, infrastructure must scale concurrently. We also face challenges regarding inland cargo movement, which requires complex coordination across multiple institutions and private actors. Additionally, there is the continuous need to mobilize large-scale investment for major infrastructure projects while upgrading our technological and human capacity.
Our strategy is not to look for a single magic bullet. We are tackling these challenges through stakeholder coordination, aggressive infrastructure development, rapid digitalization, and strategic partnerships. Most importantly, we have adopted a pragmatic, problem-solving approach. When challenges arise, we bring the relevant stakeholders to the table to engineer practical solutions rather than assigning blame.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority over the next five to ten years, and what must happen for Sierra Leone to emerge as a leading maritime and logistics hub in West Africa?
My vision is for SLPHA to be recognized as a modern, efficient, transparent, and internationally competitive port authority, with Sierra Leone firmly established as a credible maritime and logistics gateway in West Africa.
To achieve this, we must secure adequate port capacity, develop efficient inland logistics, and ensure seamless connectivity between ports, roads, railways, and production centers. We must continue our digital transformation, invest heavily in the technical skills of our workforce, and maintain a predictable, welcoming environment for long-term capital investment. If we foster strong collaboration among government, private operators, shipping lines, and local communities, Sierra Leone has the natural harbor and strategic position to dominate regional maritime trade.
Finally, when your tenure is ultimately assessed, what legacy would you like to leave behind, both for the institution and for Sierra Leone’s broader economic development journey?
I want my legacy to be measured by systems and institutions rather than by personalities.
I want to leave behind an SLPHA that is stronger, more professional, and better prepared for the future. I want to see an Authority where processes are fully institutionalized, technology is deeply integrated into operations, and stakeholders engage with us with absolute confidence.
For Sierra Leone, I want our work to have tangibly reduced the cost and time of doing business, facilitated trade, and created opportunities for our people. Ultimately, the port belongs to Sierra Leone. My responsibility, alongside the Board, Management, and staff, is to ensure we leave the institution vastly better positioned to serve the country than we found it.
Any last message would you like to share with Sierra Leoneans, international investors, shipping companies, and Africa’s business community about the future of Sierra Leone’s ports sector and the opportunities it presents?
My message is simple: Sierra Leone’s maritime sector presents immense, real opportunities, and SLPHA is committed to creating the conditions for those opportunities to be realized.
• To Sierra Leoneans: The port is a national asset and a vital engine of our economy. We ask for your continued engagement, understanding, and constructive participation as we elevate the system.
• To investors and shipping companies: Look at Sierra Leone not only for what exists today, but for the massive potential that can be unlocked through partnership. We are open to credible partnerships that will expand infrastructure, introduce cutting-edge technology, create jobs, and strengthen our position in global trade.
• To the African business community: Sierra Leone is strategically positioned to play a leading role in the growth of African trade under the AfCFTA. The journey is ongoing, and while we do not claim every challenge has been solved, our direction is clear. We are building a more efficient, safer, transparent, and highly competitive maritime gateway for Sierra Leone and the wider region.
