Declaring 2026 to be a “year of action,” President Julius Maada Bio promised concrete outcomes for Sierra Leoneans.
However, his administration’s decision to increase the pump price of petroleum products just one month after making that commitment has caused widespread annoyance, with many fearing the action will worsen the already dire economic situation.
The decision by officials to raise the price of fuel, which is considered a political and economic commodity in this country, is anticipated to have immediate repercussions. Traders caution that as production and transportation costs rise, the cost of living necessities, particularly daily foodstuffs, will also rise. Commercial drivers in Freetown said they were not informed about the increase. “We were not informed; we only found out when we stopped at the gas station to get fuel,” one driver said. Ibrahim Sawanneh, a tricycle (keke) rider, described his surprise at the pump: “When I went to the filling station to buy fuel, the pump attendant informed me that the new price is NLe28.50. I wasn’t expecting that. I had to make some adjustments and purchased a few litres.” Faced with higher operating costs, Sawanneh stated that he has no choice but to raise transportation fares, which will fall on commuters. Petty traders and market vendors are also expressing concern.
“The year that the President promised us that he is ready to deliver for the people of Sierra Leone has begun with a sharp increase in fuel prices, transportation, and basic commodities in the market,” lamented Amadu Jalloh, a small-scale trader. For many, like Jalloh and Sawanneh, the sudden increase has exacerbated daily hardship, which was already felt in households struggling to meet basic needs.
The economy has been the Bio administration’s biggest obstacle, according to critics. During his tenure as an opposition leader in 2018, Dr Julius Maada Bio’s campaign focused heavily on economic hardship. Many Sierra Leoneans claim they have not yet seen significant relief after nearly eight years of his presidency, and they are shocked that a year that was supposed to be one of delivery starts with actions that are perceived to raise living expenses.
Ordinary citizens, ranging from market vendors to drivers, are left to bear the consequences as prices increase the cost of goods and transportation and strain household budgets. They are also closely monitoring how government policy will react to the growing public distress.
