The Indonesian Government has pledged US$1 million to Sierra Leone for feasibility studies and engineering designs for the Freetown-Tagrin Ferry Service.
The funding, sourced from Indonesian Aid, aims to enhance transport efficiency and promote sustainable tourism. The agreement will be signed by Indonesian Aid alongside Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Finance.
Sierra Leone’s Finance Minister, Hon. Karefa Kargbo, will sign the deal, with support from the country’s Ambassador to Senegal, His Excellency Ibrahim Turay, who arranged a meeting with the Indonesian Ambassador to Senegal, His Excellency Ardian Wicaksono.
This meeting took place in Dakar on Saturday, 31 October 2026, during the Second Edition of the Sport and Development Summit. Both sides discussed the timely signing of the grant agreement, with project implementation set to begin in early 2027.
The ferry service is expected to strengthen transport links between Freetown and the Lungi area, boosting tourism, trade, and economic development, while also making travel more accessible. The grant will support the necessary technical work, representing a significant step towards the project’s implementation. Officials stress the importance of Sierra Leone’s diplomatic missions in forging economic partnerships and securing funding for national developments. They believe the successful mobilisation of this grant demonstrates how economic diplomacy can attract support for vital projects like improved transport links and inclusive tourism initiatives.
