09/18/2025
Modern Sewa Grounds Market Commissioned; Traders to Pay NLe 6,000 Per Stall
On September 18, 2025, President Dr Julius Maada Bio formally opened the newly completed Sewa Grounds Market in Freetown's Central Business District, unveiling a modern facility designed to transform informal trade practices and improve conditions for thousands of small-scale traders.
The National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NaSSIT) built the complex with funds from workers' social security and pension contributions. It includes 1,544 marketing spaces as well as extensive ancillary infrastructure. The facility has a parking lot, 176 toilets, boreholes, and water towers, a daycare centre, dedicated fire and police stations, fire extinguishers, and 24-hour security with CCTV coverage. The market's commercial spaces comprise 76 large and medium-sized lock-up shops, 277 small shops, and 170 district shops.
President Bio stated that the market, which his administration inherited, was long overdue and represents a significant step toward addressing the city's ongoing problem of street trading. "This market is more than a safe and dignified space for our traders," he stated during his keynote speech. "It will boost the productivity of small and medium enterprises, improve livelihoods, and contribute to the local economy of Freetown." The President emphasised the government's commitment to assisting the informal sector and announced plans to establish a pension scheme for informal workers, such as petty traders, bike riders, and commercial drivers, with NaSSIT leading the effort. He framed the move as part of a larger effort to secure the future of workers who are not currently covered by formal pension arrangements, promising that the scheme will provide these citizens with the opportunity for "a dignified retirement."
Traders welcomed the government's decision to cut stall rent in half. NaSSIT had originally set the rent at NLe 12,000 per stall; however, President Bio announced that his administration would reduce it to NLe 6,000 per stall, which would remain in effect until the end of his tenure. "This cost will remain the same until the end of my tenure in office," he said, describing the reduction as proof of his government's commitment to creating an enabling environment for Sierra Leoneans and assisting businesses to thrive.
The Sewa Grounds Market is expected to significantly reduce street trading in downtown Freetown by moving traders to a more dignified, safe, and secure environment with better sanitation and security infrastructure. The complex's 24-hour security presence and CCTV installation aim to protect traders, customers, and goods, while water, toilets, and a daycare facility meet the basic welfare needs of those who work there.
Mohamed Fuaad Daboh, Director General of NaSSIT, emphasised the importance of scheme members' contributions in financing and completing the project. He pledged to keep the facility in good condition and stated that NaSSIT intends to replicate the intervention by building more modern markets across the country. "This has not been an easy journey," Mr Daboh stated, thanking President Bio for his leadership and support in bringing the project to fruition.
Mohamed Rahman Swaray, Minister of Employment, Labour, and Social Security (MELSS), described the commissioning as long overdue, adding that public feedback informed the final design and ex*****on. "This clearly demonstrates that President Bio is a listening leader," the minister said, adding that the government's actions are shaped by the voices and contributions of its citizens.
In his remarks, President Bio urged traders to follow the law, keep the facility clean, and keep access routes open for customers and emergency services. The commitment to reduce stall rents and investigate pension protections for informal workers was presented as complementary measures aimed at improving livelihoods and formalising support for a critical segment of Sierra Leone's economy.
As the market opens, authorities say the priority will be to ensure operational efficiency, maintain security and sanitation standards, and roll out plans to expand similar infrastructure to other parts of the country — steps aimed at promoting safer trading environments and strengthening the resilience of informal-sector operators nationwide.
