AYV News, March 6, 2026
The Director General of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), Yankuba Askia Bio, has introduced strict monitoring and operational measures aimed at addressing congestion at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay.
The move is intended to accelerate the movement of containers and other cargo from the port to their final destinations, thereby improving efficiency within Sierra Leone’s main maritime gateway.
According to the Ports Authority, new procedures for container handling, improved stacking systems, and stronger coordination among terminal operators have already begun to ease congestion and reduce turnaround times. The measures are expected to allow goods to move more quickly and efficiently from ships to shore and onward to businesses across the country.
Speaking to the media, Bio stressed the importance of strengthening port security, operational protocols, and compliance with international maritime standards. He noted that these efforts are essential to boosting confidence among shipping companies and global partners doing business in Sierra Leone.
Bio said the reform agenda at the Authority is focused on modernising port operations, eliminating operational bottlenecks, and strengthening governance structures. These reforms, he explained, are designed to make the country’s ports more efficient, transparent, and attractive to investors.
He further noted that improved port efficiency will also support Sierra Leone’s participation in regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to expand economic cooperation and trade across the African continent.
The Ports Director General added that ongoing reforms have drawn recognition from several international partners, including China, the United Kingdom and Germany.
Bio reaffirmed his commitment to instilling discipline and professionalism within the Authority while transforming Sierra Leone’s ports into efficient gateways capable of supporting national economic growth and strengthening the country’s position in international trade.
