Freetown, 26th March, 2026 – The Government of Sierra Leone has reiterated its commitment to achieving the goals of the Big Five Game Changers, with a key focus on meeting national targets by 2030. Chief Minister, David Moinina Sengeh, emphasized that the government is working toward creating 500,000 jobs by 2030, as part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment and drive sustainable development.
He made the statement at a high-level roundtable on Partnerships for Sustainable Industrialization and Youth Employment, held on March 24, 2026, at the New Brookfields Hotel.
The roundtable, jointly organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the Government of Japan, brought together government officials, development partners, and private sector actors.
Discussions centered on aligning skills development with job creation, ensuring that training programs lead to real employment opportunities for the country’s growing youth population.
Key presentations explored:
- The link between skills development and industrialization
- Outcomes from the Automotive Skills Development Project
- Strategies to transition from skills training to effective industrial policy
Chief Minister Sengeh highlighted that sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and energy will play a crucial role in achieving these employment targets. Also speaking, UN Resident Coordinator Sarahfina Wakana stressed the importance of aligning policy, training, and industry.
Japan’s Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Hiroshi Yoshimoto, also emphasized the role of partnerships and practical skills in driving industrial growth. The roundtable concluded with a call for stronger collaboration to ensure that the Big Five Game Changers translate into tangible results, particularly in youth employment, by 2030.
