The government of Sierra Leone has officially expanded the country’s administrative map from 16 to 18 districts following the publication of 30 Establishment Orders in the Sierra Leone Gazette.
The Extraordinary Gazette Vol. CLXVII No. 77 dated Wednesday 16th September 2026 has legalized the creation of two new districts – Bandajuma District and Kpanguima District – along with eight new city and rural councils.
The gazetting, through Statutory Instruments No. 5 to 34 of 2026, ends months of speculation since Cabinet approved the redistricting proposal on 27th May 2025.
From 16 to 18 Districts
Until now, Sierra Leone operated 16 districts. That number now rises to 18.
– Bandajuma District will be carved from parts of Bo and Pujehun Districts in the South.
– Kpanguima District will be carved from Kenema and Kailahun Districts in the East.
The two districts will have their own District Councils – Bandajuma District Council and Kpanguima District Council – also gazetted in the same publication.
*8 New Councils – Including Freetown West and Lungi*
The Gazette also creates major changes in the Western Area, which has long struggled with service delivery due to population growth.
New councils established are:
– Freetown City Council and Freetown West City Council – splitting the capital into two city administrations.
– Lungi City Council – elevating Lungi Township, home to the Freetown International Airport, to full city status.
– Mountain Rural Council, Waterloo Rural Council and York Rural Council – creating three new rural councils in the Western Rural District to bring administration closer to communities like York, Waterloo and the Mountain communities.
Each new council, under the Local Government Act 2022, will require its own Mayor/Chairman, councillors, administration, and budget.
22 New Chiefdoms and Villages
In addition to districts and councils, the Gazette creates new chiefdoms and village chiefdoms including Barawa, Biriwa Limba, Biriwa, Bongre, Kamadugu, Lunia, Mabala Village, Magbaimba, Mapaki, Masabong, N’dohahun, Peje, Vanjelu, Yiraia, Wollay, Bankor Village, Black Johnson Village, During Village, Majei Village and Tree Planting Village.
With gazetting complete, the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) will now have to delimit new constituencies and wards for the new localities, while the Ministry of Finance will have to provide seed funding for staff and offices.
For ordinary Sierra Leoneans, the immediate impact will be felt in the 2028 Local Council Elections, when they will for the first time vote for councils in Bandajuma, Kpanguima, Freetown West, Lungi City, Mountain, Waterloo and York.
The Ministry of Local Government says the move will bring governance closer to the people and ensure equitable development.
