By Kelfala Kargbo and Abdulai Fofanah

Freetown, 18th May 2026- Sex workers in Freetown say 2026 has brought one of the toughest downturns in their trade, with customer numbers falling sharply compared to previous years. They link the slump to Sierra Leone’s worsening economic challenges, which they believe have reduced the spending power of their regular clients and cut into their earnings.

“Last year, I had more customers and they came regularly, but this year has not been easy for us,” said Salamatu Deen, a sex worker at Crab Town, Lumley, her eyes closed and body struggling to hold posture.

Commercial sex workers are a visible part of Freetown’s night economy, often seen queuing on streets or hanging around clubs and bars. Though not explicitly illegal in Sierra Leone, the trade is widespread, with Crab Town in Lumley serving as one of the busiest hubs.

There, women mostly between 16 and 25 years old converge nightly, calling out “na business?” to passersby.

Bintu Koroma, 18, has been in the trade for two years after leaving home at 16 due to family hardship. She explained that her daily earnings depend entirely on customer turnout.

On slow nights, she makes 200–300 SLe, while busier evenings can bring in 500–1,000 SLe. Rates range from 100–200 SLe for short time to 300–500 SLe for overnight stays.

“There are nights when I get just two customers. I just go home, because the money is only enough for upkeep for the next few days,” she said.

Koroma added that last year, customers paid without negotiation, but this year, “they don’t come easy.”

Reports highlight that sex workers face heightened risks of STIs, trafficking, and substance abuse. Sierra Leone currently records 81,000 HIV cases, with women showing the highest prevalence, according to Abdul Rahman Sesay, Director General of the HIV/AIDS Secretariat.

Condom use remains inconsistent. Koroma admitted she sometimes vets clients herself: “I squeeze the top of the organ. If there is blood or something irregular, I tell him to use a condom.”

The head of the Crab Town sex workers, who requested anonymity, said many of the girls combine petty trading during the day with sex work at night. One worker had just finished selling pap before returning to the street.

As global inflation drives up the cost of living, sex workers say they too have raised prices, even as customer turnout continues to fall.