In a significant move to bolster bilateral and development cooperation, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Ibrahim Sannoh, recently led a high-level delegation to the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) headquarters.

The delegation featured key figures such as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications, Technology, and Innovation (MOCTI), Mr. Stevenson Kamanda; Mr. Ishaka Nyallay from the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED); and the Ready Salone Project Coordination Team.

During his speech, Minister Sannoh expressed gratitude to KOICA for its unwavering support to Sierra Leone in vital sectors like health, education, agriculture, technology, and youth empowerment. He shared several proposals aimed at boosting youth development, including plans for a Tech Farm, entrepreneurship support, fishing initiatives, e-mobility solutions, and peer-to-peer learning platforms.

Mr. Nyallay urged KOICA to rethink its approach to assisting Sierra Leone, suggesting a stronger focus on government-led initiatives that enhance coordination and deliver measurable national impact. He highlighted the ongoing Ready Salone program as a successful example that could yield broader and more sustainable outcomes. Furthermore, he advocated for an expansion of KOICA’s scholarship program, calling it a crucial tool for advancing human capital development.

Providing updates on current preparations, Mr. Kamanda reaffirmed the government’s dedication to the proposed Tech City (Felei City) project, mentioning that the site for this development has already been secured. He appealed for KOICA’s technical and financial partnership to help bring this project to fruition.

This visit highlights Sierra Leone’s commitment to strengthening its collaboration with South Korea and utilizing development partnerships to foster innovation, empower youth, and drive economic transformation.