By Andrew Chokpeleh
Freetown, 13th October 2025— The long-awaited Sewa Grounds Market, whose construction began in 2014, was officially launched by President Julius Maada Bio in September this year. Touted as a major investment by the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), the market is intended to boost socio-economic development and reduce street trading in the Central Business District. But just weeks after its launch, a wave of concern is rising among traders, especially over the NLe 6,000 annual fee attached to the open stalls.
The market, valued at over $20 million, includes a mix of upscale lockup shops, medium-scale lockups, warehouses, and open stores. According to Mohamed Gondoe, Acting Director General of NASSIT, the pricing was negotiated with the President and traders to ensure affordability. “We had to negotiate the price for the open store with His Excellency and the traders to ensure that the traders are able to afford the price,” Gondoe said at a press conference.
But many traders disagree. For those displaced during the market’s construction, relocated to Garrison Street, Rawdon Street, and Free Street, the NLe 6,000 fee feels like a barrier rather than a bridge. “We had hoped the government would reduce the price of the open store,” said Fudia Gbla, Chairlady of the Sewa Grounds Market. “They say it’s the best price considering the investment, but many of us are struggling to raise that amount.”
The market was envisioned as a solution to the chaos of street trading, which has long clogged major roads and footpaths in Freetown. The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority has repeatedly demolished illegal structures in areas like Dwarzark, Model, and Kingharman Road. Yet, traders argue that without truly affordable access to formal stalls, the problem will persist.
“There’s a real fear that this market will only serve traders with capital,” said one vendor who currently sells local produce on Rawdon Street. “What happens to those of us who deal in small goods and can’t afford NLe 6,000 upfront?”
Charles Mambu, Chairman of Infrastructure for Development in Sierra Leone, welcomed the investment but warned against poor management. “We’ve seen multimillion-dollar projects collapse due to neglect,” he said. “NASSIT must ensure strict oversight so that this market doesn’t fall into disrepair.”
NASSIT has handed over management of the market to the Sierra Estate Management Company, which will oversee operations and announce criteria for stall allocation. The company’s General Manager promised transparency in the distribution of application forms, assuring that local traders would be prioritized.
Still, the core question remains: will the Sewa Grounds Market truly serve the traders it was built for? Or will the NLe 6,000 price tag push out the very people it was meant to protect?
As the government touts the market as a step toward organized commerce and safer streets, traders are calling for a more inclusive approach, one that reflects their financial realities and ensures that no one is left behind.
