Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. President Julius Maada Bio on Thursday, September 18, 2025, officially commissioned the new Sewa Grounds Market, a state-of-the-art facility built in the heart of Freetown’s Central Business District to ease street trading and provide a safe environment for traders.
Constructed by the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NaSSIT) using workers’ pension contributions, the market offers 1,544 trading spaces, 76 large and medium lockup shops, 277 small shops, 170 district shops, a car park, daycare centre, police and fire posts, boreholes, water towers, 176 toilets, and 24-hour security with CCTV coverage.
In his keynote, President Bio praised NaSSIT for delivering “yet another human-capital-driven development,” while urging the Trust to replicate such projects nationwide. He commended small traders, particularly women, for their resilience under harsh conditions and announced plans to introduce a pension scheme for informal workers, including traders, bike riders, and drivers.
“This market is more than a safe and dignified space for our traders,” he said. “It will boost small businesses, improve livelihoods, and strengthen Freetown’s economy.”
The President further revealed that stall rent, initially set at NLe 12,000 by NaSSIT, had been reduced to NLe 6,000 per stall until the end of his tenure, a decision warmly welcomed by traders.
NaSSIT Director General Mohamed Fuaad Daboh acknowledged contributors for making the project possible and promised to maintain the market to high standards. Employment and Labour Minister Mohamed Rahman Swaray described the commissioning as “long overdue” and a sign of President Bio’s responsiveness to public concerns.
With its modern amenities and focus on safety, the Sewa Grounds Market is expected to significantly reduce street trading in central Freetown and provide a sustainable boost to the city’s commerce.
For More News And Analysis About Sierra-Leone Follow Africa-Press
