The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) has taken a bold step toward advancing maritime education, safety, and institutional development through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport.
On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, a high-level SLMA delegation led by Executive Director Dr. Daniel Bobson Kaitibi was formally received at the Academy’s headquarters in Abu Qir, Alexandria, Egypt. The visit marked a significant milestone in SLMA’s efforts to strengthen international partnerships and modernize Sierra Leone’s maritime sector.
The delegation was welcomed by H.E. Dr. Ismael Abdel Ghafar Ismael Faraj, President of the Arab Academy, alongside senior faculty and maritime experts. Discussions centered on shared priorities in maritime safety, professional training, and sustainable development.
The SLMA team also toured the Academy’s advanced facilities, including the Integrated Simulation Complex, the College of Maritime Transport and Technology, and the Institute of Maritime Rehabilitation Studies.
The signed MoU establishes a framework for long-term cooperation in maritime education and certification, technical training and capacity building, marine environmental protection, and institutional exchange and joint research.
Through this agreement, the Arab Academy will provide tailored support to SLMA in developing a skilled maritime workforce aligned with international standards. The partnership also aims to enhance SLMA’s regulatory capabilities and promote sustainable maritime governance across Sierra Leone’s coastal and inland waterways.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Kaitibi expressed deep appreciation for the Academy’s hospitality and reaffirmed SLMA’s commitment to leveraging this collaboration to elevate Sierra Leone’s maritime profile.
He noted that the agreement reflects SLMA’s strategic vision to build a resilient, forward-looking institution capable of meeting global benchmarks.
In his remarks, Dr. Faraj praised the depth of bilateral relations between Egypt and Sierra Leone and emphasized the Arab Academy’s readiness to support SLMA’s goals through technical expertise, academic exchange, and regional cooperation.
This partnership marks more than a diplomatic achievement. It signals a new chapter for SLMA under Dr. Kaitibi’s leadership, with expectations for modernized operations, strengthened governance, and enhanced international engagement. SLMA is poised to anchor Sierra Leone’s maritime future in excellence, innovation, and global collaboration.
