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The Ministry of Youth Affairs, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has announced a call for applications for the “Sierra Ride” initiative – a pilot project aimed at modernising Sierra Leone’s commercial transport system by introducing electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce emissions and improve urban mobility.
The initiative is targeting young Sierra Leoneans aged 21 to 35 years with at least three years of driving experience, a valid driver’s licence, a clean record, and completion of senior secondary education. Applicants must also provide a police clearance certificate and demonstrate a willingness to be trained on electric vehicle technology.
Women and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Sierra Ride initiative aligns with the government’s broader strategy to transform the transport sector by incorporating electric mobility. In August 2025, during International Youth Day celebrations, Minister of Youth Affairs Ibrahim Sannoh unveiled a package of youth empowerment measures that included the launch of 50 electric vehicles, with priority given to women drivers to promote gender equality in the transport sector.
Minister Sannoh has previously described the promotion of climate change technology and innovation, including piloting electric vehicles, as a key priority for his ministry.
The initiative forms part of a larger effort supported by UNDP to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Sierra Leone and improve urban mobility and air quality. The project is co-financed and implemented by the national government in partnership with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and local stakeholders, with funding from the European Union through the SOLUTIONSPlus project.
A core focus of the project is scaling up successful initiatives while implementing fiscal policies to accelerate EV adoption across Sierra Leone. The pilot will focus strongly on gender inclusion, targeting a significant share of women drivers to test drive the concept.
This builds on UNDP’s ongoing work in Sierra Leone to equip young women with technical skills. In February 2026, UNDP, in partnership with the National Youth Commission (NAYCOM) and the Armed Forces Technical and Educational College (AFTEC), certified 250 young women in high-demand technical and vocational skills including auto mechanics and renewable energy systems.
Traditional three-wheelers (known locally as “kekes”) consume about four litres of gasoline per 100 kilometres, contributing significantly to air pollution – which is annually linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths across Africa.
Transitioning to electric vehicles is expected to reduce local air pollutants, mitigate pollution-related health risks in urban areas, and enhance road safety by promoting quality e-kekes over gasoline-powered alternatives. Electric taxis are also cheaper to run in the long term.
The Environmental Protection Agency of Sierra Leone recently launched the country’s first electric mobility strategy, coinciding with the trial of e-kekes.
How to Apply
Interested applicants are required to submit a CV, cover letter, and a copy of their driver’s licence via email to [email protected] or hand-deliver to the Ministry of Youth Affairs at 24 Scan Drive, Wilberforce, Freetown.
The deadline for applications is 8th May 2026.
Very good intentions to empower the young bloods of our loved nation,but in a country where electricity is a constant fight, i think it is a poisonous gift.
Not to forget that keeping these vehicles in good working condition requires a lot of equipment and solid infrastructure: battery recycling systems, charging stations across the entire city, and responsible driving (something 90% of drivers in this country lack).
It’s good to move forward, but we are far behind and are tackling this country’s problems the wrong way. We can’t even properly repair internal combustion vehicles in this country, yet the government is importing electric cars,it’s clearly a waste of public money.
If growth is what we are really looking for, there are dozens of simple and low-cost ideas available. Let’s stop moving backward while pretending we are going forward.
God bless sierra Leone.
Great initiative. Quick question though;
Is there going to be a reduction in non-electric public vehicles, kekes and motorcycles?
Also, how is this new initiative going ease the congestion and in traffic in country?
Houses are struggling to get adequate electricity yet cars are going compete for the little that is available. Lol