Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. In a symbolic gesture of appreciation, the Chief Executive Officer of the Budapest-Bamako-Freetown Challenge, Andrew G. Szabo, has presented a commemorative plaque to the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Nabeela Tunis.
The plaque bears the inscription, “The Biggest Amateur Rally in the World”, recognizing Sierra Leone’s critical role in hosting the iconic event.
Andrew Szabo praised Minister Tunis for her outstanding leadership and efforts in revitalizing Sierra Leone’s tourism industry. He noted that under her stewardship, the country is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the world’s leading destinations for hospitality and adventure tourism.
This recognition comes on the heels of two major announcements by the organizers of the globally acclaimed Budapest-Bamako Rally. The first is the unveiling of a new name and logo for the rally, and the second is the official confirmation that Sierra Leone will serve as the finish line destination for the 2026 edition of the rally — the fifth time the country will host the concluding leg of the event.
The Budapest-Bamako Rally, known as the world’s largest amateur rally, has previously brought approximately 2,500 international participants to Sierra Leone. For the upcoming 2026 edition, organizers expect a record-breaking 1,500 adventurers from over 80 countries to end their journey on Sierra Leonean soil.
This milestone underscores Sierra Leone’s growing stature on the global tourism map and reflects the Ministry of Tourism’s ongoing rebranding and image enhancement campaign. The event is expected to generate substantial economic and social dividends, including heightened international media exposure, increased tourism revenue, and new global partnerships.
Further boosting the nation’s credentials as a premier adventure tourism hub, Sierra Leone has also been selected as the finish line for the rally’s 2028 and 2030 editions.
The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, along with its agencies, has expressed pride in this recognition and reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging such opportunities to drive sustainable tourism growth and international goodwill.
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