The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) has secured a US$50 million grant from the World Bank in a significant stride towards bolstering urban mobility and road safety in Freetown.

The Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, announced the development through a post, underscoring Sierra Leone’s commitment to improving public transport, climate resilience, and road safety measures. According to the Chief Minister, 36, “We’re all in to improve public transport (50 buses for Freetown plus depots, address climate resilience, improve road safety (street lights and pedestrian crossings), etc. through a US$50m World Bank Grant to Government.”

The project, known as the Integrated and Resilient Urban Mobility Project, aims to revolutionize the urban transport landscape in Sierra Leone, particularly in the capital city of Freetown. With a multi-faceted approach, the initiative focuses on several key aspects to bring about transformative change.

Chief among the objectives is the modernization and professionalization of public transport services, which encompasses both formal and informal private operators.

By injecting funds into this sector, the project aims to elevate the quality of public transportation services, especially in the Western Area. This facet of the project is designed to maximize financial development while improving the overall public transport experience.