Sierra Leone authorities and Chinese language officers on the launch of the Excellence Academy training program in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Jan. 27, 2026. (Picture credit score: CRSG)
China Railway Seventh Group Co., Ltd. (CRSG) partnered with Zhengzhou Railway Technician Faculty and Freetown Polytechnic to launch a joint training program, the Excellence Academy, on Jan. 27 on the Jui Campus of Freetown Polytechnic in Sierra Leone. This partnership is poised to impression the nation’s training sector and supply younger folks with important vocational abilities aligned with the nation’s growth agenda.
The launch occasion introduced collectively key stakeholders, together with authorities officers, native enterprise leaders and representatives from the Chinese language embassy, all eager to help the initiative’s potential to drive growth and funding in Sierra Leone.
The occasion additionally marked the inauguration of a sophisticated multimedia classroom constructed by CRSG for college kids at Freetown Polytechnic. The ability will host skilled educators from China, who will ship numerous sensible vocational and technical programs. The target is to domesticate a talented workforce able to addressing the wants of Sierra Leone’s evolving economic system. CRSG’s academic partnership initiatives present a concrete instance of how environmental, social and governance (ESG) rules are being put into apply.
Dr. Samba Morriba, principal of Freetown Polytechnic, emphasised the significance of the initiative, stating, “This program fosters training and youth growth. It aligns with our imaginative and prescient of technical and human growth.”
He stated that the Excellence Academy is not going to solely practice learners in crucial abilities however may also create job alternatives and improve cooperation with Chinese language counterparts, in the end empowering Sierra Leoneans.
Wu Wei, principal of Zhengzhou Railway Technician Faculty, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the initiative as a cornerstone of the rising friendship between China and Sierra Leone.
“This joint training program is a part of deepening ties below the Discussion board on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), geared toward supporting human capital growth in Africa,” he acknowledged.
Du Xinguo, common supervisor of CRSG in Sierra Leone, lauded the collaboration as a significant step towards enhancing academic requirements {and professional} abilities within the area. Du stated that upon finishing this system, trainees would have assured job placements together with continued help for native ability enhancement, fostering social progress throughout the board.
Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, minister of technical and better training, expressed her enthusiasm for this system, describing it as “a reform in motion” that underscores the federal government’s dedication to delivering high quality technical and vocational training. She affirmed that this partnership will equip college students with the sensible abilities required for the workforce and urged different entities to observe this exemplary mannequin. Wurie thanked China for its ongoing help for ability switch and value-sharing.
Chinese language Ambassador to Sierra Leone Zhao Yong praised the tripartite initiative, calling it a landmark achievement within the bilateral relationship centered on people-to-people cooperation.
“The Excellence Academy interprets consensus into actuality,” he remarked, underscoring its alignment with the Sierra Leonean authorities’s objectives for youth growth and financial development.
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio graced the event with a message of empowerment for the nation’s youth. He highlighted this system’s twin concentrate on offering certifications and equipping college students with instantly employable abilities. The president expressed his imaginative and prescient for each Sierra Leonean to amass important abilities to contribute to nationwide growth.
“The youth are our most vital asset; that’s the reason we’re reworking training to prioritize ability coaching for sustainable employment,” he acknowledged.
In emphasizing the crucial position of expert professionals in nationwide growth, the president famous, “Technical-vocational abilities usually are not dropout abilities; they’re the constructing blocks of our nation.”
He reaffirmed that the partnership displays the robust ties between China and Sierra Leone, thanking CRSG and Zhengzhou Railway Technician Faculty for his or her dedication to investing in Sierra Leone’s future.
Additionally on Tuesday, CRSG launched its ESG report at a ceremony held in Songo. That is the primary time the corporate has launched an expert ESG report in an African nation.
Chinese language and Sierra Leonean officers on the launch of the China Railway Seventh Group’s Environmental, Social and Governance report in Songo, Sierra Leone, Jan. 27, 2026. (Picture credit score: CRSG)
Du underscored the significance of the ESG report, stating that it offers a complete overview of the corporate’s tasks, achievements and ongoing dedication to sustainable growth.
“We’re dedicated to taking social growth from idea to actuality,” Du remarked, “guaranteeing a win-win scenario for each the corporate and the folks of Sierra Leone.”
Dr. Denis Sandy, minister of works and public belongings, praised CRSG for its substantial contributions to infrastructural growth in Sierra Leone. He conveyed the federal government’s satisfaction with the corporate’s work and expressed willingness to collaborate extra carefully shifting ahead.
Zhao lauded the corporate’s long-standing relationship with Sierra Leone, highlighting its dedication to sustainable growth practices.
“CRSG has employed over 1,000 native personnel, embodying the philosophy of empowering communities by instructing them priceless abilities,” Zhao stated.
President Bio, addressing attendees, reiterated the importance of the ESG report, which outlines a roadmap for accountable growth in Sierra Leone. “This report is pivotal in demonstrating how we will construct our nation pretty and ethically,” he remarked.
“The well being and security of our employees, in addition to street customers, are paramount,” stated Bio. “I’m happy to see that CRSG has been a dependable growth associate, offering job coaching for residents and sustaining transparency and accountability in its operations.”
Bio cited the Wellington-Masiaka freeway mission as a chief instance of an efficient funding partnership, testifying to CRSG’s dedication to high quality work and group engagement.
“I’m assured that CRSG’s steadfast dedication is not going to solely improve financial growth in Sierra Leone however may also strengthen the enduring friendship between our nations,” he asserted.
(Net editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang)
