By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Ministry of Youth Affairs (MOYA) has signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Economic and Commercial Counseling Center of the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China. The agreement, signed in Freetown, marks a major step in empowering Sierra Leone’s youth through technical training and access to modern mobility solutions.
As part of the deal, China will provide 500 electric cars, 1,000 bikes, 500 tricycles, and support the establishment of a state-of-the-art training facility for young people. The facility will focus on building technical skills in the growing electric vehicle (EV) sector, positioning Sierra Leone as an early adopter of green transportation technologies in West Africa.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, described the initiative as a game-changing moment for Sierra Leone’s youth, explaining that the program is directly linked to President Julius Maada Bio’s “Big 5” agenda, which prioritizes youth employment, skills development, and human capital growth.
“This partnership is not just about providing vehicles. It is about creating opportunities, building skills, and preparing our youth for the future of transportation and technology,” Minister Sannoh said. “It is the responsibility of us public officials to encourage responsible investment in Sierra Leone for our growing youth population. Infrastructure and industrial projects must be coupled with human resource development and skills transfer to ensure sustainable progress.”
A representative of the Chinese Embassy in Guangzhou welcomed the signing of the MoU, describing it as a landmark in Sierra Leone–China cooperation. He noted that the program could transform the lives of thousands of young people by opening new pathways in technical training, employment, and innovation. “This project is ground-breaking. It offers the youth of Sierra Leone new hope and a renewed future,” he remarked.
The agreement comes at a time when the global shift toward clean energy and sustainable transport is accelerating. With this partnership, Sierra Leone aims to place itself at the forefront of this movement by equipping its youth with the technical know-how required for the EV industry. Analysts believe that the program could stimulate local job creation, promote entrepreneurship, and reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuel-powered vehicles.
For Sierra Leone, the partnership with China also reaffirms the strength of bilateral relations that have spanned decades. Over the years, China has invested heavily in Sierra Leone’s infrastructure, agriculture, health, and education sectors. This latest collaboration underscores the dynamic nature of that relationship, with a stronger focus on the future needs of the country’s youthful population.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs has assured that implementation of the agreement will be closely monitored to ensure the project delivers long-term benefits. Once fully operational, the training facility is expected to become a hub of innovation, not only preparing young people for jobs in the EV industry but also enabling them to transfer knowledge across other emerging technologies.
This landmark agreement signals a brighter horizon for Sierra Leone’s youth, offering a blend of opportunity, innovation, and sustainable development, while deepening the country’s strategic ties with China.
