On Monday, August 11, 2025, Sierra Leone enacted the National Country Planning Act 2025, repealing the outdated Town and Country Planning Act of 1946.
Championed by Dr. Turad Senesie, Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, the new law establishes a modern national framework for physical planning aimed at promoting sustainable development, climate resilience, and public welfare across urban and rural areas.
The Act introduces national policies to support disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation and mitigation, and enhances public participation and enforcement mechanisms.
It provides guidance for the development of infrastructure, housing, and public amenities, raising living standards and embedding systems for continuous monitoring, evaluation, and alignment with national development goals and international commitments—including sustainable development, climate action, and human rights.
Following the Act’s passage, Dr. Senesie commended Parliament and stakeholders for their support, calling it a “landmark law that will stand the test of time.”
He highlighted its transformative impact on Sierra Leone’s cities, including the introduction of green spaces, improved drainage, and planning approaches that meet 21st-century needs.
This marks Dr. Senesie’s third National Act since his appointment in 2021, following the National Land Commission Act and the Customary Land Rights Act.
