Freetown: His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio officially inaugurated the new Excellence Skills Academy, a collaborative venture uniting Freetown Polytechnic, China Railway Seventh Group Co. Ltd., and Zhengzhou Railway Technician College. Government leadership, development partners, and academic stakeholders gathered on the Polytechnic's Jui campus for the launch January 27, 2026. The event highlighted a shared commitment to transforming technical education into direct economic opportunity for Sierra Leone's youth.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, President Bio praised the academy as a practical solution for equipping young people with employable skills. He emphasized that education must move beyond certificates to hands-on competencies, framing it as a vital tool for navigating an increasingly complex world. President Bio linked the initiative to his Human Capital Development Agenda and the Big Five Game Changers, which prioritize skills, innovation, and work readiness. He commended China Railway Seventh Group for investing in local skills development instead of importing labor, calling it 'policy translated into action.'
Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, hailed the launch as 'reform in action.' She emphasized that the academy embodies the Ministry's commitment to structured, demand-driven training aligned with labor market needs. Dr. Wurie noted the importance of strong public-private partnerships in ensuring that graduates possess skills meeting real industry standards.
His Excellency Zhao Yong, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Sierra Leone, celebrated the tri-partite cooperation as a breakthrough in bilateral relations. He described the academy as a model for educational ties and a reflection of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Ambassador Zhao stated that the academy supports Sierra Leone's development priorities and will become a flagship project of cooperation.
Du Xinguo, General Manager of China Railway Seventh Group in Sierra Leone, marked the launch as a new chapter in the company's 18-year local presence, reaffirming CRSG's commitment to localization and skills transfer. He announced that the first cohort of 40 trainees will be offered employment with the company upon graduation.
Principal of Zhengzhou Railway Technician College, Wu Wei, pledged to share decades of technical training expertise. He explained that the program uniquely blends institutional education, industry practice, and local needs, emphasizing the importance of skills development for individual success and national growth.
Dr. Samba Moriba, Principal of the Freetown Polytechnic, described the occasion as extraordinary, marking the President's first visit since the institution's founding. He highlighted the partnership's commitment to industry-relevant, hands-on training, empowering the institution to produce skilled, employable graduates.
The ceremony culminated with President Bio unveiling the commemorative plaque, formally declaring the Excellence Skills Academy open, aligning education with economic ambition.