Freetown, 16th January, 2026 – A landmark restoration project has begun at the historic Old Fourah Bay College building in Cline Town, Freetown, backed by a record £300,000 grant from the UK-based Commonwealth Heritage Forum (CHF). The funding, the charity’s largest-ever single grant, comes under the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Commonwealth Heritage Skills Training Programme, supported by The Vinehill Trust.
The announcement was made at a ceremony on site, attended by schoolchildren, government officials, development partners, community members and the press. The event marked the start of another phase of a project that promises not only to preserve Sierra Leone’s most iconic academic landmark but also to generate jobs, strengthen community identity, and boost tourism.
Founded in 1827, Fourah Bay College was the first Western-style university in sub-Saharan Africa, earning Freetown the title “Athens of West Africa.” The original building, completed in 1848, was extensively damaged during the civil war of 1991–2002 when it was used as a safe house and later gutted by fire.
Professor Joe A. D. Alie, one of Sierra Leone’s most respected historians, described the site as “a monument to Sierra Leone’s pioneering role in African higher education,” noting that generations of scholars from across the continent passed through its halls, shaping intellectual thought and leadership from Nigeria to Ghana.
Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis, hailed the restoration as a welcome and necessary step in the preservation of an important chapter of our enduring history.
“As the first structure to host Sierra Leone’s first-ever institution of higher learning, Old Fourah Bay College occupies a special place in our nation’s past. Its restoration is therefore a welcome and necessary step in the preservation of an important chapter of an enduring history”.
She emphasized that in this Year of Culture and Creativity, the project underscores Sierra Leone’s commitment to heritage, identity, and future direction.
Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, framed the restoration as part of the Transform Freetown Agenda, saying by safeguarding our heritage, we are investing in education, culture, and tourism, while creating opportunities that strengthen community pride and economic growth.”
“The restoration of Old Fourah Bay College is more than preserving a historic landmark; it is a living example of the Transform Freetown Agenda in action. By safeguarding our heritage, we are investing in education, culture, and tourism, while creating opportunities that strengthen community pride and economic growth,” she said.
Lead architect Stephen Battle outlined the first phase of works: repairing the roof to protect the building from harsh climatic conditions and preparing the first floor for productive use. The basement, he added, will be dedicated to cultural training for creatives, ensuring the site becomes a hub for innovation as well as preservation.
Madam Isatu Smith, Project Manager and member of the CHF International Advisory Committee, praised the workforce and highlighted the scale of investment: the £300,000 grant forms part of the CHF’s wider £12.26 million programme to safeguard Commonwealth heritage sites.
Diplomatic voices also joined in support, with the British High Commissioner and a representative from the U.S. Embassy reflecting on the long journey to preserve this historic landmark.
The restoration of Old Fourah Bay College is more than a construction project, it is a cultural and economic investment. By reimagining the site as a centre for learning, community life, and commerce, Sierra Leone is not only preserving its past but also building a resilient future where heritage fuels tourism, education, and creativity.
