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The Government of Sierra Leone has officially opened a new Automotive Training Center of Excellence aimed at equipping young people with practical skills in vehicle repair and maintenance.
This project began in 2019 when President Julius Maada Bio visited Japan for the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). There, he requested Japan’s support to invest in youth skills development in Sierra Leone. Japan agreed. Since then, Sierra Leone has collaborated with the Embassy of Japan and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) office in Sierra Leone to move the initiative forward.
By 2021, the government had transitioned several technical schools into polytechnics, and a new curriculum was developed with the help of industry partners. Pilot programs were launched through the Ministry of Youth and some companies in Sumbuya. The country also increased investment in basic education and strengthened partnerships with companies such as CICA Motors and Bosch, many of which have ties to Japan.
Now, the new training center is open, equipped with modern machines and tools, and staffed with certified instructors. The center is helping students from all parts of the country gain the skills needed to secure jobs or start their own businesses. Posseh from Lungi, Foday from Kissy, and Joe from Kenema are just a few of the youth now receiving hands-on training at the center.
Following the launch, Chief Minister Sengeh shared publicly that the center focuses on inclusion, shared prosperity, and human capital development, with the aim of empowering youth both in Sierra Leone and beyond. He mentioned that young people from Lungi, Kissy, and Kenema are learning on state-of-the-art machines under spilled guidance of certified instructors, preparing to become skilled professionals. The Chief Minister noted that this initiative reflects President Bio’s vision of transforming ideas into tangible results. He pointed out the alignment with the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4 (quality education) and SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), and expressed confidence that the country is making progress. He concluded by encouraging everyone to continue working together to close the gaps and keep moving forward with development.
The center aligns with the government’s broader commitment to improving human capital and expanding opportunities for young people. It also supports key international development goals, such as SDG 4 (quality education) and SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure).
As the launch of this center marks an important step forward, the government looks ahead to a future where young people are equipped with the skills needed to drive Sierra Leone’s growth and contribute to the global economy.
