With the avowed aim of fostering human capital development in Sierra Leone, President Julius Maada Bio on Tuesday October 3, 2023 received a cheque for a substantial USD 100 million loan. The loan, which comes without the need for collateral, is set to support the education of 1,000 Sierra Leonean graduates in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) courses. Students, who will benefit from the support, will pursue their studies in the United States of America and Canada.
The symbolic presentation of the cheque took place at State House in Freetown and was offered by the SOS NEKOTECH Centre of Excellence school program, officially launched in Sierra Leone in 2021.
Currently operational in seven African countries, including Sierra Leone, Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, and Cameroon, the program is committed to empowering African students through quality education.
Rev. Dr. Princess Ocansey, Executive Chairperson of the SOS NEKOTECH Program congratulated President Julius Maada Bio on his re-election and commended his unwavering dedication to enhancing human capital development in Sierra Leone.
She described the moment as historic, highlighting President Bio’s dedication to building the nation’s human capital and expressing their organization’s commitment to assisting more graduates in pursuing higher education abroad.
The Executive Chairperson also emphasized that Sierra Leone, under President Bio’s leadership, is poised to become a hub for ‘African Intelligence’ following the graduation of these 1,000 Sierra Leonean students.
Mohamed Rahman Swaray, the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, expressed his joy at leading this transformative program further disclosing that two years ago he  joined forces with the SOS team to officially launch the program in Sierra Leone.
He continued by saying that during his time in America, where he was invited by the SOS NEKOTECH Centre of Excellence in 2023, speakers hailed President Bio for steering Sierra Leone towards a path of development.
Minister Swaray emphasized the unique opportunity that the present generation had, thanks to a Government that is bringing education to the doorsteps of its citizens.
President Julius Maada Bio, in his remarks, expressed his gratitude for the generous support from SOS NEKOTECH on behalf of Sierra Leone’s citizens. He stressed the vital role of human capital in a nation’s development and underscored the importance of investing in quality education.
President Bio stated, “I have always said that the most important resource of any country is that of its human capital. People are not only the beneficiaries of development but also the means to development. Therefore, if we want to embark on successful human capital development and national development, we must invest in the human capital of our country.”
The President highlighted that partnering with organizations like SOS NEKOTECH is essential for improving Sierra Leone’s human capital by offering more graduates the opportunity to receive education abroad. The President also expressed his enthusiasm for the loan and assured the program of his Government’s unwavering support, extending his heartfelt wishes for the success of all future graduates.
