Transportation & Infrastructure Guide
Public transit, airports, and getting around in Sierra Leone
Public Transport
Road Infrastructure
Public Transport
2.5/10Minimal formal public transport system with limited integration. No metro or rail transit in urban areas. Basic bus networks operate in major cities like Freetown, Makeni, and Bo, but coverage is fragmented and unreliable. Transport beyond major urban centers remains difficult and costly.
Road Infrastructure
2.8/10Poor overall road conditions with significant maintenance challenges. Only 904 km of 11,700 km road network is paved (approximately 8-15%). Dirt roads dominate, creating severe accessibility issues especially during rainy seasons. Government prioritizing trunk road rehabilitation including Bo-Bandajuma and Pendembu-Kailahun routes.
Internet Speed
2.2/10Limited internet infrastructure with slow average speeds and poor rural coverage. Mobile internet dominance with significant urban-rural connectivity gap. Infrastructure investment ongoing but remains below regional standards.
Avg: 8.5+ Mbps • Minimal fiber deployment, concentrated in Freetown; primarily mobile-based connectivity
Airport Connectivity
3.5/10Basic airport infrastructure with limited international connectivity. Freetown International Airport serves as primary hub but accessibility constrained by ferry-dependent access from Lungi. 12 total airports with 4 major facilities. Proposed Lungi Bridge project (8 km span, $1.1 billion) aims to significantly improve airport accessibility and regional connectivity.
Transportation Costs
- Metro Pass
- N/A - No metro system
- Bus Trip
- N/A - Limited formal pricing data available
- Taxi
- N/A - Informal taxi market dominates
- High-speed Train
- N/A - No high-speed rail network
Mobile Network
Mobile networks provide primary internet access with significant urban-rural divide. 4G coverage concentrated in major cities. Network reliability variable in rural areas. Multiple carriers operate but infrastructure investment remains constrained.
Driving License
International Driving Permit (IDP) required for foreign visitors. Vehicles drive on right side of road. Foreign licenses accepted with valid IDP; no conversion required for temporary visits. Local driving conditions challenging due to poor road infrastructure and limited traffic management systems.
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