Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. A China-aided, three-week capacity building course in automobile repair and maintenance was launched on Friday at the Sierra Leone Foreign Service Academy, bringing together 50 participants from both the public and private sectors to enhance local automotive service capacity.
Running from 28 November to 18 December 2025, the programme marks China’s first overseas technical training in Sierra Leone in nearly five years. It focuses on modern vehicle diagnostics, engine management systems, routine maintenance, fault-finding techniques, and hands-on repair sessions designed to raise standards of automotive services nationwide.
The training is delivered in partnership with the Chinese Embassy in Freetown, Hunan Automotive Engineering Vocational University, the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Organisers say the course combines systematic instruction with practical work to ensure participants acquire immediately applicable skills.
Yan Ruohong, Vice President of Hunan International Business Vocational College, highlighted the institution’s long record of international vocational training. Founded 71 years ago, the college has trained more than 10,000 participants from over 120 developing countries, including over 400 Sierra Leoneans through programmes in Freetown in 2018 and 2019.
At the opening ceremony, Wang Peng, Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, described the training as a milestone in bilateral cooperation, linking it to the implementation of the 2024 Forum on China–Africa Cooperation’s ten major partnership action plans. He said relations between China and Sierra Leone were “at their best in history” and urged trainees to take full advantage of the 21-day course: “Cherish this learning opportunity, build friendships with your Chinese instructors, and become industry leaders who will improve livelihoods in Sierra Leone.”
Wang also highlighted China’s investment in Sierra Leone’s human resource development, noting that in 2025, 12 Sierra Leonean students were recommended for Chinese Government Scholarships, 103 professionals received Ministry of Commerce scholarships, and over 500 Sierra Leonean officials and technicians participated in short-term training programmes in China.
Representing the Sierra Leone government, Franklyn Brima Fawundu, Deputy Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, commended China’s sustained partnership. He stressed the urgent need for consistent, high-quality automotive services as vehicle ownership rises, warning that donated vehicles had sometimes fallen into disrepair due to a lack of local expertise. He urged participants to take the training seriously, reminding them that clients expect value for money.
The Director of Technical and Vocational Education and Training at MTHE highlighted ongoing reforms in the TVET sector, noting that more than 70 competency standards have been developed to upgrade training quality across disciplines. He also pointed to the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Automobile Maintenance at Freetown Polytechnic’s Kissy campus, equipped with modern technology to advance skills development.
Acknowledging gaps in regulation and standardization across formal and non-formal training providers, the Director said the regulatory framework has been reviewed to ensure quality assurance and alignment with international best practices. He described the trainees as “nation builders whose capacity must be strengthened for Sierra Leone to progress” and reaffirmed the Government’s appreciation for China’s continued support to TVET development.
Organisers expect the 21-day course to significantly strengthen participants’ technical competencies and
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