UNIDO, Sierra Leone and Japan inaugurate Centre of Excellence to drive youth employment in the automotive sector
A major step forward for youth skills development and job creation in Sierra Leone’s automotive industry was marked today in Freetown.
Freetown, 13 May 2025 - The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Government of Sierra Leone, and the Government of Japan today officially inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Automotive Training at Freetown Polytechnic’s Kissy Campus.
The high-level ceremony marks a major milestone in the “Promoting Youth Employment through Automotive Maintenance Skills Training” project, implemented by UNIDO in partnership with the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, and generously funded by the Government of Japan.
With youth unemployment and underemployment remaining a persistent challenge in Sierra Leone, the new Centre of Excellence directly addresses the country’s skills gap in the growing automotive sector. Recently renovated and transformed into a state-of-the-art facility that meets international standards, it is now equipped with advanced automotive equipment and tools. The Centre will deliver Sierra Leone’s first nationally accredited, competency-based curriculum in automotive maintenance and entrepreneurship. Developed in consultation with industry experts, the 40-module, 1,000-hour programme is tailored to meet current labor market demands. With an emphasis on hands-on training, it will prepare students for careers in the country’s fast-evolving automotive industry.
In his keynote address, David Moinina Sengeh, Honorable Chief Minister of the Government of Sierra Leone, underscored the significance of the initiative:
“The Automotive Training Centre we inaugurate today, inspired by the President of Sierra Leone’s 2019 request for support at TICAD Japan, exemplifies our commitment to inclusion, shared prosperity, and human capital development-empowering youth in Sierra Leone and beyond.”
Hiroshi Yoshimoto, Ambassador of Japan to Sierra Leone, reaffirmed Japan’s support for the project and for human capital development in Africa:
“Japan is honored to support this initiative, which empowers young people and strengthens Sierra Leone’s capacity for economic transformation. Skills development is the key to unlocking opportunity and creating new pathways to prosperity.”
Mariatu Abionor Swaray, UNIDO Country Representative, emphasized the project’s role in aligning training with industry needs and creating employment opportunities for youth:
"This Centre reflects strong collaboration between partners to deliver demand-driven training that equips young people with skills matched to industry needs, helping bridge the gap between education and employment."
To ensure quality and sustainability, instructors and management staff have completed specialized training both in Sierra Leone and internationally, including in Ghana, Japan, Kenya, South Africa, and Italy. The Centre also features a Career Centre for job matching, business coaching, and apprenticeships, ensuring that training leads to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Each year, the Centre can train 200 young automotive mechanics and equip 200 young people with entrepreneurship skills, advancing Sierra Leone’s National Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Agenda. By building a skilled workforce, this initiative supports Sierra Leone’s socio-economic growth while contributing to a more connected and competitive Africa.
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