The Sierra Leone Railways Development and Regulatory Authority (SLRDRA) has engaged stakeholders to review its draft Five-Year Strategic Plan for 2026–2030, which seeks to restore the country’s railway system and promote safe, efficient and sustainable railway and cable car transport.
The one-day validation workshop was held on Thursday, 9 October 2026, bringing together representatives from government institutions and other stakeholders to examine the proposed plan and recommend improvements before its finalisation.
Opening the workshop, SLRDRA Director-General Ing. Dr. Albert Forde said stakeholder participation was essential to strengthening the newly established Authority’s institutional and operational capacity.
Deputy Director-General George Simeon Songu also welcomed participants on behalf of the Board, Management and staff, noting that their contributions would help improve the document.
Presenting the draft plan, Director of Environmental Compliance Ing. Abdul Kaadiru Kallon outlined five strategic pillars: operationalising the Authority, mobilising revenue and achieving financial sustainability, developing railway and cable car regulations, preparing a National Railway Master Plan, and advancing priority projects.
The proposed National Railway Master Plan would cover 14 interconnected corridors spanning approximately 1,900 kilometres, with the Kasafoni–Banana Island corridor identified as a priority.
During discussions, stakeholders raised concerns about financing, public-private partnerships (PPPs), railway safety, land acquisition, environmental protection and the division of responsibilities between regulation and project implementation.
Participants also called for stronger coordination among public institutions and closer alignment with national and international development frameworks.
A representative of the National Investment Board recommended stronger governance arrangements for PPPs, clear access and safety requirements before railway corridors are structured for investment, and independent reviews of proposed investments. The representative also called for safeguards for the Bauya–Waterloo section and the Western Area approach, alongside a review of the draft investment budget and implementation timetable.
The Ministry of Finance representative emphasised the need for a credible financing strategy and a comprehensive assessment of project risks. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency cautioned against an overreliance on mining, urging the Authority to ensure that railway development supports broader economic activities and long-term environmental sustainability.
Representatives from the Ministry of Transport and Aviation sought clarification on whether the Authority’s mandate would extend beyond regulation to include the implementation of cable car projects. The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority also questioned whether the proposed cable car system would be limited to Freetown or developed as a nationwide initiative, particularly in view of electricity connectivity challenges in provincial areas.
The Ministry of Justice representative observed that the draft’s institutional mapping did not explicitly mention the Office of the Attorney-General and recommended that land acquisition matters be directed to the Land Commission. The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development welcomed the work of the technical team but called for clearer strategic priorities and stronger alignment with relevant international frameworks.
Other contributions focused on railway safety and security standards, bilateral cooperation and the exchange of relevant documents, as well as the need to clarify institutional responsibilities throughout the proposed programme.
At the close of the workshop, Samuel Morgan, representing the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, and Adama Boima, Esq., of the Ministry of Justice, moved a motion to adopt the draft strategic plan.
Deputy Director-General Songu thanked participants for their contributions, which are expected to inform further refinement of the document.
The workshop concluded with the motion to adopt the draft plan and a set of recommendations addressing regulatory arrangements, financing, project governance, environmental safeguards and the need to ensure that railway development contributes to wider national development goals. However, the meeting record did not confirm whether the motion was formally carried or whether the plan received final approval.
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