By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma
Freetown, July 5 — Sierra Leone has suspended the collection of a US$25 airport security fee charged to international passengers at Freetown International Airport, pending a government review of the contract governing the levy and an ongoing independent audit.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a public notice that the suspension will take effect on July 6 and remain in force until further notice.
The ministry said the decision was intended to facilitate a review of the contractual arrangements surrounding the fee, while allowing the Audit Service Sierra Leone to complete an independent special audit. Authorities are also considering a more integrated system for collecting airport-related charges.
Officials stressed that the suspension does not terminate the government’s contract with Securiport (SL) Limited, which will continue providing passenger data management and other security-related technological services during the review.
The announcement is likely to be welcomed by travellers who have long questioned the additional charge, arguing that airport services have not kept pace with the fees passengers are required to pay.
“This is long overdue,” said Abdul Kamara, a businessman who frequently travels between Freetown and Accra.
“Every time we travel, we pay US$25, but when you get into the airport, you can’t even access free Wi-Fi. We are not against paying for security because that is important, but passengers deserve better services if these charges are being collected.”
The airport security fee has for years formed part of the cost of international travel through Sierra Leone’s main airport. Although the government has maintained that the levy supports aviation security infrastructure, critics have questioned its value amid complaints about limited passenger amenities.
Among the concerns most frequently raised by travellers is the absence of reliable, free public Wi-Fi, a service widely available at many international airports across Africa. Others have pointed to the need for improved passenger facilities, customer service and greater transparency over how revenues generated from airport charges are utilized.
Kamara said the government’s review should extend beyond the financial aspects of the fee.
“This shouldn’t just be about stopping the payment for now. Government should use this opportunity to improve the airport experience. If the fee comes back in the future, travellers should actually see where the money is going through better services and facilities.”
The suspension comes at a time when Sierra Leone is seeking to strengthen its tourism sector and improve the ease of travel for business visitors and members of the diaspora. Industry observers say the outcome of the government’s review could shape future policy on airport charges and broader efforts to modernize the country’s aviation sector.
Airport authorities have been instructed to comply fully with the directive as the suspension takes effect on Monday. Government has not indicated when the review will be completed or whether the fee will be permanently abolished, modified or reinstated.
For now, passengers departing through Freetown International Airport will no longer be required to pay the US$25 security levy while the review is underway.
