The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) has formally gazetted the creation of new districts, local councils, and a city, a move that is expected to reshape the country’s local governance landscape.
The two new districts are Bandajuma District, which is curved out from parts of Bo and Pujehun Districts in the Southern Province. Kpanguma (Panguma) District, which is formed from portions of Kenema and Kailahun Districts. This development brings the country’s total number of administrative districts to 18.
Published in an extraordinary issue of the Sierra Leone Gazette in September 2026, the administrative restructuring also establishes several local councils and elevates strategic areas.
Freetown is reorganised by splitting the capital city into two distinct city administrations: Freetown City Council and Freetown West City Council.
Lungi is elevated to full city status (Lungi City Council) due to its strategic economic role and proximity to Freetown International Airport. This brings the total number of local councils to 28.
The Western Rural District is also divided into three new rural councils: Mountain Rural District, Waterloo Rural Council, and York Rural Council. Led by His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s Administration and steered by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Affairs under Hon. Tamba John Lamina, the redistricting and decentralisation exercise under the Local Government Act of 2022 aims to improve local governance efficiency and bring administrative services closer to grassroots communities; enhance equitable resource distribution, infrastructure, and access to healthcare and education in rapidly growing regions; and stimulate local economic growth, trade, and investment.
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