Sierra Leone has strengthened its push to expand maritime education and workforce development following the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (Sierra Leone Maritime Administration) and representatives from the Philippines during a high-level international maritime meeting in London.
The agreement was signed by SLMA Executive Director, Dr. Daniel B. Kaitibi, on the sidelines of the 111th Session of the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization (International Maritime Organization), held on 20 May 2026.
The partnership is aimed at enhancing capacity building in maritime education, improving training standards, and expanding employment opportunities for young Sierra Leonean seafarers in the global shipping industry.
The Philippines, widely regarded as a global leader in maritime training with a strong network of specialized institutions, is expected to provide technical support and expertise to help strengthen Sierra Leone’s maritime sector.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by senior officials, including the SLMA Director of Maritime Safety and Security, Ibrahim Wurie, and Sierra Leone’s Alternate Permanent Representative to the IMO, Sheik Mohamed Kabba.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Kaitibi emphasized the need for strategic investment in human capital, noting that Sierra Leone must move beyond reliance on natural resources and prioritize skills development to remain competitive in the global maritime economy.
He also encouraged deeper collaboration with the Philippines, including potential investment in local maritime training institutions or joint partnerships with Sierra Leonean universities.
This latest agreement builds on earlier reforms, including a February 2026 partnership between SLMA and Njala University, which introduced maritime education into the university’s academic programs in line with international standards under the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention.
The SLMA says these initiatives form part of a broader national strategy to position Sierra Leone as a competitive hub for maritime training and professional seafarer development, with the goal of enabling young Sierra Leoneans to access global employment opportunities in the shipping industry.
