Sierra Leone’s new Sewa Grounds Market in Freetown was officially commissioned by President Julius Maada Bio on Thursday, September 18, 2025
The new facility is intended to reduce street trading by providing a modern, safe, and dignified environment for traders.
Key details about the new Sewa Grounds Market:
Construction: The market was constructed by the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NaSSIT), using workers’ social security and pension contributions.
Capacity: It features 1,544 market spaces, which includes various large, medium, and small shops.
Amenities: The complex includes a number of supporting amenities, such as:
- 176 toilets
- Boreholes and water towers
- A daycare center
- Police and fire posts
- 24-hour security with CCTV cameras
- Rent Reduction: To make the stalls more accessible, President Bio announced a reduction in stall rents from NLe12,000 to NLe6,000, fixed until the end of his presidential tenure.
- Economic Goals: The market is expected to boost small businesses, improve livelihoods, and strengthen Freetown’s economy by providing a more organized trading space.
- Informal Workers: President Bio also announced plans for a pension scheme for informal workers, including traders, bike riders, and drive
