Makeni is the fifth largest city in Sierra Leone (after Freetown, Bo, Kenema and Koidu Town) and the largest city and economic center of the Northern Province. The city is the capital of Bombali District and lies approximately 85 miles east of Freetown. Makeni is a major commercial, educational, tranportational and economic center. Makeni had a population of 80,840 in the 2004 census and a current estimate of 109,112.