The Government of Sierra Leone has formally established two new districts, Bandajuma and Kpanguima, and reorganized local councils and chiefdoms through an Extraordinary issue of The Sierra Leone Gazette dated 16 September 2026. The changes are contained in Government Notice No. 246-277, published by the Government Printing Department. This move gives legal effect to a redistricting and decentralisation programme that the government has been developing since 2025.
The new districts and councils were established under various statutory instruments, including the Bandajuma District (Establishment) Order, 2026, and the Kpanguima District (Establishment) Order, 2026. The respective district councils were established under Statutory Instruments Nos. 14 and 17. Additionally, the Gazette formally established the Freetown City Council, Freetown West City Council, and Lungi City Council.
According to Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs Tamba Lamina, Cabinet had approved the creation of Bandajuma and Kpanguma districts, with Bandajuma affecting parts of Bo and Pujehun and Kpanguma covering communities in Kenema and Kailahun. The government also announced plans for additional councils in the Western Area and for Lungi to be elevated to city status.
The reforms aim to bring local administration closer to communities, improve service delivery, strengthen local revenue mobilisation, and support a more equitable distribution of resources. The Gazette’s provisions extend beyond the two new districts and councils, listing establishment orders covering various chiefdoms and villages, including Barawa, Biriwa Limba, and Lunia.
The new legal instruments are being issued under the Local Government Act 2022, which gives the President power to declare an area a locality and establish a council. The law requires recommendations on new localities to consider factors such as population, geographical contiguity, and topography. It also provides for government support to newly established councils.
The gazetting represents a significant step in the government’s decentralisation programme, giving formal statutory status to the named administrative units. The practical process of establishing their structures and operations will require further administrative and financial arrangements under the Local Government Act.
The development is particularly significant for Lungi, where the government has been promoting the area as an emerging strategic urban centre linked to the international airport. In May 2026, the Local Government Ministry unveiled a proposed map and development blueprint for the new Lungi city as part of the wider restructuring exercise.
Key points
- The Government of Sierra Leone has established two new districts, Bandajuma and Kpanguima, and reorganized local councils and chiefdoms.
- The reforms aim to bring local administration closer to communities and improve service delivery.
- The new legal instruments were issued under the Local Government Act 2022.
