…New Era At SLPHA
- Establishes State Of The Art Inland Dry Container Port
- Formulating 25 Year National Port Master Plan
- Launches NationalElectronic Single Window System
By Ayodele Deen Cole
A delegation from the Sierra Leone Port and Harbour Authority (SLPHA) led by the Director-General, Yankuba Askia Bio recently concluded a two-day tour ofthe Egyptian Port of Alexandria, aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in Port development, maritime safety, and logistical innovation.
During the two-day tour which took place from the 8th to the 9th of July, 2025, the SLPHA D.G, Yankuba Askia Bio and team held strategic engagements with Egyptian Maritime sector players including Rear Admiral Hussein Elgheziry, head of the Egyptian Maritime Safety and also tour the extensive infrastructure at the Egyptian Port of Alexandria.
The SLPHA D.G also used the said visit to advocate for a robust collaboration on new port infrastructure, including the proposed inland container dry port project in Sierra Leone and also have a broader expansion of coastal and hinterland port facilities to meet growing trade demands.
According to Yankuba A. Bio, Egypt example provides a clear blueprint for how strategic planning, investments and technical innovations can transforms a nation maritime economy, adding that SLPHA is now laying the ground work for an ambitious but achievable transformation of Sierra Leone Port and inland logistic capabilities.
While speaking on the inland dry port and port expansion project, the SLPHA D.G held high level meetings with Egyptian authority and revealed Sierra Leone’s plan to establish a state of the art inland dry container port near Freetown or a strategic inland trade hub.
While outlining his administration strategic priorities, Yankuba Bio noted that the facility will serve as a logistical distribution and customs clearance center, thereby easing congestion at sea port and streamlining cargo flows to inland regions and neighboring countries.
Whilst in Egypt, the SLPHA boss also held discussion on broader development plans under the new SLPHA modernization strategy including key intervention such as the formulation of a twenty-five-year national port master plan, setting long term strategic direction for maritime infrastructure, enhancement of inter-land connectivity, with a focus on boosting transit trade with Guinea and Mali through the integrated road and rail links, construction of a port reception facility at Queen Elizabeth then second quay, to ensure environmental compliance with international maritime waste management standards., implementation of a national electronic single window system, aimed at streamlining cargo clearance, improve transparency, and reducing port dwell times, development of a modernize security access system at the Queen Elizabeth then second quay, to enhance safety, enforce port regulations and improve personnel and cargo monitoring.
Bio told the Egyptian that these interventions form part of the SLPHA broader mission to create a modern, efficient and regionally competitive maritime sector aligned with Sierra Leone national development priorities and AfCFTA goals.
Meanwhile, the Egyptians, on their part have committed to supporting Sierra Leone in three major ways by; providing technical assistance as Egyptian Engineers will assist SLPHA in designing the master plan for new port and inland logistics infrastructure.
The Egyptians will also provide training and human capital development with fully funded training courses for pilots and other maritime engineers focusing on flag state procedures and port state control.
The Egyptian sides will also encourage joint ventures and private investment to establish a direct maritime shipping route between Freetown and Alexandria or Damietta which would boost trade volumes and reduce shipping costs.
After the tour, the SLPHA D.G, Yankuba Askia Bio noted that the visit has highlighted the operational efficiencies, digital systems, and environment strategies deployed in Egypt port, adding that these insights is going to inform Sierra Leone maritime transformation journey.
“We are not just improving our ports, we are building a trade network that connects Sierra Leone to the region and the world” Bio noted, adding that such partnership is helping the country turn plans into action.
In another development, the SLPHA D.G Yankuba Askia Bio was recently honored to receive the National Hero Award; a humbling recognition of the dedication and progress he is making in the port sector. Among his other recent accomplishments are: The payment of dividends to the government as a shareholder in Freetown Terminal Limited (FTL), underscoring commitment to transparency and value in public-private partnerships, and the inauguration of a new port in Maforki Chiefdom, developed by CTC Port & Logistics, with the Sierra Leone Ports Authority (SLPHA) ensuring compliance with both national and international standards.
According to the SLPHA D.G,“achieving three significant milestones within a single month underscores the positive trajectory of our sector.”
