By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
The completion ceremony for the first cohort of the Sierra Leone “Excellent Skills Academy”, jointly organized by China Railway Seventh Group Co., Ltd., Zhengzhou Railway Technician College, and Freetown Polytechnic, together with the “Talk to China” China–Sierra Leone Youth Exchange Dialogue, was grandly held on Friday 8th May, 2026 at the Freetown Polytechnic, Jui. The event aims to showcase the achievements of the “Excellent Skills Academy,” deepen China–Sierra Leone cooperation in vocational education, and promote integration and exchanges between Chinese and Sierra Leonean youth.
The ceremony brought together government officials, representatives of the Chinese Embassy, technical education institutions, students, lecturers, youth representatives, and development partners from both Sierra Leone and China.
The “Talk to China” China Sierra Leone Youth Exchange Dialogue featured discussions among representatives from the Excellence Skills Academy, Sierra Leonean youth employees of CRSG Sierra Leone, Chinese youth employees of CRSG Sierra Leone, a young teacher from Freetown Polytechnic, a student representative from Freetown Polytechnic, a youth diplomat from the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone, and a young official from the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education. Discussions focused on technical education, youth empowerment, skills transfer, employment opportunities, innovation, and strengthening people to people exchanges between Sierra Leone and China.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Principal of Freetown Polytechnic, Dr. Samba Moriba, described the graduation ceremony as a historic milestone marking the successful completion of the first cohort of the Sierra Leone Excellence Skills Academy launched under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio. He explained that the academy was established through collaboration between Freetown Polytechnic and Chinese partners to promote technical skills development, produce qualified technicians, and create employment opportunities for young people in Sierra Leone and the wider region. He highlighted that the academy provides modern, industry focused, and practical training directly linked to national development priorities.
Dr. Moriba commended China Railway Seventh Group Co., Ltd. for its commitment to youth empowerment and technical education, noting that the company’s investment was contributing significantly to national development. He praised the graduates for their resilience and dedication, stating that their certificates represented not only academic achievement but also their ability to innovate, build and lead. He encouraged them to continue improving their skills, remain disciplined, and adapt to technological advancements in order to remain valuable contributors to society.
The Principal of Zhengzhou Railway Technician College, Wu Wei, through a virtual message, congratulated the graduates for successfully completing their studies and described their achievement as proof that discipline, hard work, and commitment can create opportunities for a brighter future. He encouraged the graduates to use the technical knowledge and practical skills acquired during the programme to contribute meaningfully to Sierra Leone’s national growth and transformation.
Wu Wei thanked the Government of Sierra Leone, the Chinese Embassy, and all partner institutions for supporting the initiative and helping to strengthen vocational education cooperation between Sierra Leone and China. He expressed confidence that the Excellence Skills Academy would continue achieving greater success and producing more skilled professionals capable of supporting national development in the years ahead.
Chief Supervisor, China Railway Seventh Group (SL) Co., Ltd., Feng Tao, described the graduation ceremony as a historic milestone in China Sierra Leone vocational education cooperation and emphasized that the graduates were no longer ordinary certificate holders but skilled technicians prepared to contribute to Sierra Leone’s development. He explained that the Excellence Skills Academy was designed to bridge the gap between technical training and employment by aligning its programmes with Sierra Leone’s development priorities. According to him, graduates who successfully completed the programme would receive employment opportunities through CRSG and its partner enterprises.
Feng Tao stated that the academy represented an important achievement in international cooperation and demonstrated CRSG’s commitment to skills development, employment creation, and youth empowerment in Sierra Leone. He commended Freetown Polytechnic, Zhengzhou Railway Technician College, the Government of Sierra Leone, and the Chinese Embassy for supporting the programme. He stressed that CRSG intended to remain a long term development partner by prioritizing localization, skills transfer, and inclusive growth while expanding technical education cooperation between Sierra Leone and China.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Haja Ramatulai Wurie, described the graduation of the first cohort as a defining moment in Sierra Leone’s efforts to reform technical and vocational education and training. She stated that the programme demonstrated how practical and industry linked education can produce measurable national development outcomes. According to the Minister, the government’s strategy focuses on demand driven and industry led technical training that prepares graduates for real workplace environments and addresses labour market needs.
The Minister praised the Excellence Skills Academy for providing competency based and hands on training that enables graduates to transition directly into productive employment opportunities through partnerships with CRSG. She commended CRSG for contributing not only to infrastructure development but also to skills transfer, workforce localization, and capacity building in Sierra Leone. She further described the graduates as pioneers of a new model of technical education and urged them to uphold discipline, professionalism, integrity, and excellence while contributing to national development.
Wang Peng, Counselor in charge of commercial and economic cooperation of the Chinese Embassy congratulated the graduates and praised the partnership between CRSG, Zhengzhou Railway Professional and Technical College, and Sierra Leonean institutions. He described the graduation as a major step in strengthening technical education and infrastructure development capacity in Sierra Leone, noting that the academy had successfully provided intensive practical training in automotive driving technology and others.
Wang Peng stated that the academy created an integrated pathway linking technical training, certification, practical learning, and employment opportunities. He commended CRSG for supporting vocational education and employment creation while strengthening China Africa people to people exchanges. He further announced that preparations for the second cohort were already underway with plans to expand technical courses and practical training opportunities for more young Sierra Leoneans.
The best performing graduate, Yusuf Kamara, described the programme as life changing and praised the organizers and trainers for bringing world class vocational and technical education opportunities to Sierra Leone. He stated that the academy equipped students with practical and marketable skills that directly respond to real world demands and employment opportunities.
He thanked CRSG, the trainers, and partner institutions for empowering young people with confidence, discipline, technical competence, and professional skills. He noted that many graduates entered the programme uncertain about their future but were now leaving prepared to contribute meaningfully to society and national development. He also described the programme as a symbol of the growing friendship between Sierra Leone and China and pledged that graduates would apply their skills responsibly in service to their communities and the nation.
The ceremony concluded with the awarding of completion certificates and letters of employment certificates to qualified graduates, eight of whom were recognized as outstanding graduates.
The graduation ceremony and youth dialogue reinforced growing educational, cultural, and economic ties between Sierra Leone and China while highlighting the increasing role of technical education in supporting Sierra Leone’s industrial growth, infrastructure development, and long term economic transformation.
