President Julius Maada Bio on Thursday inaugurated the Sewa Grounds Market in Freetown, a new commercial complex designed to improve conditions for traders and reduce street vending in the capital.
The facility includes more than 1,500 stalls and supporting infrastructure, such as a daycare center, aimed at providing a safer and more organized environment for both sellers and buyers.
Speaking at the opening, President Bio described the project as a significant step toward addressing the challenges of street trading.
He emphasized the vital role that market women and vendors play in the country’s economy and highlighted the need to provide them with a dignified and suitable workspace.
The government views the new market as part of a broader effort to modernize urban commerce while ensuring social benefits for traders and their families.
Officials hope the initiative will not only ease congestion in the city but also stimulate local economic growth by creating a more structured and secure setting for business.
