Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance, Hon. Karefa Kargbo has secured on behalf of government a US$1 million grant from the Government of Indonesia to support feasibility studies and detailed engineering design for the Freetown–Tagrin Ferry Service.

The grant, to be provided through Indonesian Aid, is aimed at enhancing transport efficiency and promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism in Sierra Leone.

The agreement will be signed between the Government of Indonesia, through Indonesian Aid, and the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Finance.

In pursuing the initiative, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Senegal, His Excellency Ibrahim Turay, who has been instrumental in this agreement, facilitated a bilateral meeting between Indonesia’s Ambassador to Senegal, His Excellency Ardian Wicaksono, and Minister Karefa Kargbo.

The meeting was held on the margins of the Second Edition of the Sport and Development Summit in Dakar on Saturday, 31 October 2026.

Discussions focused on ensuring the timely signing of the grant agreement, with implementation expected to commence in early 2027.

The Freetown–Tagrin Ferry Service is expected to improve connectivity between Freetown and the Lungi area, while supporting tourism, trade and economic development.

The successful mobilisation of the grant further demonstrates the Embassy’s efforts to use economic diplomacy to attract development financing and strategic partnerships for priority national projects.
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