London, 20th May 2026 – Sierra Leone has taken a bold step to strengthen its maritime workforce, as Dr. Daniel B. Kaitibi, Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with delegates from the Philippines during the 111th Session of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee in London.
The agreement underscores Sierra Leone’s commitment to building capacity in maritime education and creating employment opportunities for young Sierra Leonean seafarers. The Philippines, globally recognized for its robust maritime training sector with more than 80 institutions dedicated to the field, is expected to play a key role in supporting Sierra Leone’s ambitions.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by SLMA’s Director of Maritime Safety and Security, Ibrahim Wurie, and Sheik Mohamed Kabba, Sierra Leone’s Alternate Permanent Representative to the IMO.
This latest MoU builds on earlier efforts. In February 2026, Dr. Kaitibi signed a similar agreement with Njala University to integrate maritime education into its curriculum. That partnership ensures courses align with SLMA guidelines and international standards under the STCW Convention, while strengthening research, governance, and workforce development.
Speaking in London, Dr. Kaitibi stressed the urgency of expanding Sierra Leone’s maritime education capacity. He encouraged the Philippines to consider investing directly in a maritime institution in Sierra Leone or collaborating with local universities to accelerate sector growth.
“Mineral wealth alone cannot sustain us. We must build the skills and institutions that allow Sierra Leoneans to take their rightful place in the global maritime economy,” he said.
The SLMA sees these partnerships as part of a broader vision to transform Sierra Leone into a hub for maritime excellence, ensuring that seafarers are not only trained to international standards but also positioned to compete for jobs worldwide.
