By Joseph Momoh
Freetown, 19th November 2025 The Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), H.E. Madam Kenyeh Barlay, alongside ECOWAS Resident Representative to Sierra Leone, H.E. Ambassador John Azumah, officially launched the Wai Cross-Border Market Project during a handover ceremony this week.
This initiative, designated MoPED/ECOWAS/RB/WORKS/2025/001, falls under the ECOWAS Cross-Border Cooperation Support Programme (ECBCSP) and is aimed at enhancing regional trade and socio-economic development. Implemented by MoPED with supervisory oversight from the Ministry of Works and Public Assets, the project will be executed by Sierra Brothers Construction Services (SL) Limited. It is strategically located along a vital economic corridor that links Sierra Leone and Liberia through more than seven major crossing points.
The ECBCSP, which was officially launched in May 2024 in Freetown, focuses on strengthening regional peace, managing migration, and promoting collaborative development in border communities. This project symbolizes the growing partnership between ECOWAS, the Government of Sierra Leone, local councils, and community leaders.
During the ceremony, Chiefdom Speaker Mr. Augustine Kah Zoker expressed his gratitude to ECOWAS and the Sierra Leonean government for bringing meaningful development to the remote community of Wai. Paramount Chief P.C. Mustapha J. Massaquio lauded MoPED for actualizing this long-awaited project, urging his constituents to seize the opportunity to enhance their livelihoods and community security. He also called for additional developmental initiatives in the Sorogbema Chiefdom.
Representing the contractor, Construction Manager Ibrahim Kawa assured attendees that the project is set for completion within four months, with a commitment to employing 80 percent of the workforce locally to promote community ownership and economic benefit.
Ambassador Azumah emphasized the project’s significance in enhancing regional trade, cooperation, and social cohesion. He reiterated ECOWAS’s vision of evolving from an “ECOWAS of States” to an “ECOWAS of People,” underscoring the importance of community-centered development as central to the institution’s mission over the past 50 years. He also expressed appreciation for President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership in regional integration.
In her keynote address, Minister Barlay celebrated Sorogbema Chiefdom’s economic potential, highlighting its rich natural resources such as beaches, fisheries, and agriculture. She noted that these sectors are vital components of the Big Five Game Changers and the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024–2030. The Minister stressed that the project aligns with ECOWAS Vision 2050 and Sierra Leone’s national priorities, particularly the Feed Salone Programme.
Furthermore, she announced plans to integrate cold storage facilities into the market’s design to enhance the value chains of fisheries and agriculture. She emphasized the importance of strengthening the District Development Coordination Committee (DDCC) to improve collaboration between island and mainland communities.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed commitment from all partners to enhance development cooperation, strengthen regional ties, and support sustainable growth in Sierra Leone. The Wai Market is anticipated to become a pivotal hub for trade and livelihoods for thousands in the border region.
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