By Davida Spaine Solomon
Freetown, 11th February 2026- Sierra Leone has been officially named the permanent finish line of the internationally acclaimed Budapest–Bamako Rally, a development widely seen as a major boost for the country’s tourism profile and broader economy.
The announcement was made by the Managing Director of the National Tourist Board (NTB), Fatmata Mida Carew, during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s Weekly Press Conference in Freetown.
Madam Carew said the decision by rally organisers reflects growing international confidence in Sierra Leone’s capacity to host large-scale global events. She disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs to ensure that Sierra Leone remains the official endpoint of the rally for the next ten years.
She further revealed that the 2026 edition of the Budapest–Bamako Rally is already delivering tangible economic benefits, with an estimated 1,200 tourists expected to take part in the event.
According to her, 794 participants have so far entered the country, accompanied by 352 vehicles and 200 motorbikes, while an additional 492 participants, bringing over 203 vehicles, are expected to arrive in early March.
Madam Carew explained that rally participants typically spend several weeks in Sierra Leone, contributing significantly to hotel bookings, food services, transportation, and foreign exchange inflows, all of which stimulate local businesses and the national economy.
Supporting her remarks, Minister of Information and Civic Education, Hon. Chernor Bah, said the rally’s impact extends beyond tourism revenues. He noted that the event is helping to rebrand Sierra Leone’s international image, increase aviation activity, and create further economic value, particularly as some participants sell their vehicles locally before flying onward to their next destinations.
The permanent finish line designation, he added, positions Sierra Leone as a key destination on the global adventure tourism map, reinforcing government’s strategy to leverage tourism as a driver of sustainable economic growth.
