EU Unveils €1 Million INSPIRE Initiative to Train 14,000 Youth and Strengthen Peace Across Sierra Leone

In a major investment in Sierra Leone's future, the European Union has launched a €1 million project aimed at empowering young people, strengthening responsible information systems, and promoting lasting peace in communities across the country.

The Inclusive Networks Supporting Peaceful Information and Responsible Engagement (INSPIRE) project will run for 30 months, equipping 14,000 young people with the knowledge and skills to become active participants in peacebuilding, civic engagement and responsible digital citizenship.

Beyond youth training, the initiative will strengthen the country's information ecosystem by supporting 300 media practitioners, providing grants to 18 civil society organisations, and facilitating community-led peacebuilding initiatives in 60 communities nationwide.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Julius Ibrahim K. Foday Esq described the INSPIRE Project as a strategic investment in Sierra Leone's next generation of leaders, noting that empowering young people with the right tools and knowledge is essential to building a peaceful, informed and inclusive society.

The project is being implemented by Action for Advocacy and Development Sierra Leone (AAD-SL) in partnership with the Agency for Integrated Development Sierra Leone (AID-SL), with funding from the European Union.

The launch reaffirms the European Union's long-standing partnership with Sierra Leone, demonstrating its continued commitment to advancing youth empowerment, media literacy, civic participation and sustainable peace through inclusive development programmes.

As implementation begins, thousands of young Sierra Leoneans are expected to benefit from new opportunities to lead positive change in their communities, reinforcing the country's efforts to build a more resilient and inclusive future.

Source: EU - SL 

 1,000 Makeni Entrepreneurs Receive Cash Boost as President Bio Expands Economic Empowerment Drive

A thousand entrepreneurs in Makeni are set to receive direct financial support in a significant boost to small businesses, as President Dr Julius Maada Bio continues efforts to promote economic inclusion and job creation across Sierra Leone.

During a symbolic handover ceremony, President Bio presented grant cheques to selected beneficiaries under the National Commission for Social Action (NACSA)'s Productive Social Safety Nets and Youth Employment (PSSNYE) Project.

Under the initiative, 1,000 entrepreneurs in Makeni will each receive US$300 to strengthen their businesses, increase productivity and create new economic opportunities within their communities.

The PSSNYE Project is designed to support vulnerable households, promote entrepreneurship and expand youth employment by providing direct financial assistance to small business owners. The grants are expected to help beneficiaries invest in their enterprises, improve household incomes and contribute to local economic growth.

The symbolic presentation highlights the government's continued investment in people-centred development programmes aimed at reducing poverty, supporting entrepreneurship and building more resilient communities.

For many beneficiaries, the grants represent more than financial assistance—they provide an opportunity to grow businesses, create jobs and secure a more sustainable future.

Nant Energy Project Advances, Set to Deliver 77% of Power Generation Capacity, Says Chief Minister Dr. David Sengeh

The Chief Minister has shared significant progress on the Nant Energy Project, describing it as a transformative investment that is steadily moving toward completion.

Once operational, the project is expected to contribute approximately 77% of the electricity generation capacity, marking one of the most significant milestones in Sierra Leone's energy sector. The increased power supply is expected to improve access to electricity, support economic growth, create employment opportunities, and strengthen industrial development nationwide.

The Chief Minister said the project reflects the administration's commitment to expanding reliable energy infrastructure and improving the livelihoods of Sierra Leoneans.

The progress of the Nant Energy Project has been attributed to the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, whose government continues to prioritize investments in energy, job creation, and national development.

As construction advances, expectations remain high that the project will play a pivotal role in powering homes, businesses, and industries across the country.

 Know Your Rights: Understanding the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

Did you know that Sierra Leone is legally bound by an international treaty that guarantees fundamental civil and political rights, including the right to liberty, freedom of expression and a fair trial?

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is one of the world's most important human rights treaties, adopted by the United Nations in 1966 to protect the fundamental civil and political freedoms of individuals.

Sierra Leone ratified the treaty in August 1996, committing the country to uphold and protect a broad range of human rights in line with international standards.

The ICCPR safeguards essential freedoms, including the right to life, liberty and security of the person, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, peaceful assembly and participation in public affairs. It also guarantees the right to a fair trial, equality before the law and protection against arbitrary arrest or detention.

As a State Party to the Covenant, Sierra Leone has an obligation to respect, protect and promote these rights while ensuring that its laws, institutions and judicial processes are consistent with the treaty's provisions.

The ICCPR remains a cornerstone of the global human rights framework, serving as a key instrument for promoting justice, accountability and the rule of law in democratic societies.

Source: HRCSL 

 Authorities Intercept More Than 10 Chinese Nationals in Kono Over Alleged Illegal Mining Mission

A nationwide crackdown on illegal employment and immigration violations has recorded a major breakthrough after authorities intercepted more than 10 Chinese nationals allegedly heading to a mining site in Kono District without the required work and residence permits.

The Commissioner of Labour, accompanied by his enforcement team, intercepted the foreign nationals at the Mambudu Checkpoint in Kono District during an ongoing nationwide compliance operation to enforce Sierra Leone's Unified Work and Residence Permit regime.

According to preliminary reports, the Chinese nationals were travelling to Kumaroh Village, where they were allegedly planning to engage in gold and diamond mining activities without first regularising their immigration and employment status as required under Sierra Leonean law.

The group has since been handed over to the Sierra Leone Police Headquarters in Koidu for further investigation. Authorities say the outcome of the investigation will determine the appropriate legal action to be taken.

The interception is part of the Government's intensified efforts to ensure that all foreign nationals living and working in Sierra Leone comply with the country's labour and immigration laws. The enforcement campaign is also aimed at strengthening oversight of foreign participation in key sectors, particularly mining.

Speaking on the operation, the Commissioner of Labour said the era of foreign nationals entering, residing or working in Sierra Leone without the necessary legal permits is over. He stressed that strict enforcement of the Unified Work and Residence Permit regime is essential for protecting national security, promoting lawful employment and safeguarding the country's natural resources from illegal exploitation.

The latest operation signals the Government's determination to tighten compliance with labour and immigration regulations as authorities continue nationwide inspections targeting illegal employment and unauthorised business activities.

Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are expected to release further details as the case develops.

Source: Ministry of Employment Labour and Social Security 

 VP Takes Sierra Leone's Priorities to Global Stage at Hamburg Sustainability Conference

As global leaders grappled with rising geopolitical tensions and development challenges, Vice president Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh used the Hamburg Sustainability Conference to push for stronger international support for vulnerable economies while championing better nutrition for children.

VP  has concluded a two-day engagement at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference, where he joined heads of state, policymakers and development partners to deliberate on some of the world's most pressing sustainability and development issues.

The conference served as a key platform for advancing international dialogue, fostering collaboration and strengthening partnerships to address global challenges through practical and sustainable solutions.

During the high-level gathering, VP  contributed to two major panel discussions. The first focused on advancing child nutrition during the critical first 1,000 days of life, emphasising the importance of early nutrition in improving children's health, development and future opportunities.

In a second discussion, the Vice President addressed the global economic implications of the Strait of Hormuz crisis. He highlighted the heightened vulnerability of small economies such as Sierra Leone to external shocks and called for more flexible and responsive financing mechanisms to help developing countries withstand global crises without derailing their development progress.

Reflecting on the conference, VP expressed optimism over the shared commitment among world leaders and development partners to deepen international cooperation and pursue practical solutions to common challenges.

He reaffirmed Sierra Leone's commitment to remaining an active voice in global development conversations, advocating for policies that strengthen resilience, promote equity and ensure that the interests of countries in the Global South are reflected in international decision-making.

 Digital Transformation Hits Sierra Leone Police as DSTI Launches Nationwide ICT Training Programme

Thousands of police officers could soon deliver faster, smarter and more efficient public services as the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) launches a nationwide ICT training programme designed to modernise policing in Sierra Leone.

The Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and Victory Teens Organization (VTO), has officially launched an ICT Training Programme aimed at equipping police personnel with the digital skills needed for modern law enforcement.

The initiative, which begins in Freetown, Kenema and Makeni, seeks to strengthen officers' foundational ICT knowledge, improve service delivery and accelerate the digital transformation of the Sierra Leone Police.

Speaking during the launch, Victory Teens Organization Director, Madam Florence Finda Lebbie, described the programme as an investment in people, institutions and national development. She announced scholarship opportunities alongside fully funded ICT and vocational training for eligible police officers and their children, expanding the programme's impact beyond the workplace.

DSTI Project Manager Tigidankay Bah explained that the initiative grew out of discussions to digitise the Sierra Leone Police Human Resource Management System. She said those discussions revealed that building officers' digital capacity was a necessary first step before introducing more advanced digital systems.

Bah further disclosed that DSTI has trained and certified more than 83,000 Sierra Leoneans through its digital learning programmes over the past five years, underscoring the institution's commitment to building a digitally skilled workforce across the country.

The programme officially commenced with an orientation session at the Digital Learning Hub in Makeni, where more than 40 officers from the Makeni Police Division were introduced to the Tech 101 Programme.

Addressing the participants, Deputy Inspector General of Police Sahid Umaru Senesie urged officers to fully embrace the opportunity, stressing that improved digital skills would enhance policing, strengthen public service delivery and better prepare the force for an increasingly technology-driven future.

The initiative represents another significant milestone in Sierra Leone's broader digital transformation agenda, as government institutions continue investing in technology, innovation and human capital to improve governance and public service delivery.

Source: DSTI-SL