NEW YORK – The Government of Sierra Leone says it will create 500,000 sustainable jobs for young people as part of its Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024-2030.
The pledge was made by Minister of Youth Affairs Ibrahim Sannoh during the Civic Day USA Edition organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) in New York on Thursday 24th September 2026.
The event was held on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly and brought together senior government officials and Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora to discuss national development programmes and reforms.
Minister Sannoh told the gathering that young people under 35 make up about 75% of Sierra Leone’s population, making youth employment a central plank of government’s development agenda.
He said the 500,000 jobs target is anchored in President Julius Maada Bio’s Big Five Game Changers, which include agriculture, human capital development, youth employment scheme, technology and infrastructure.
According to the Minister, government is already working with the World Bank on programmes that will target over 70,000 young people with cash transfers, skills training and direct employment opportunities.
He explained that current youth programmes are being reoriented to focus on productive sectors including agriculture under FEED SALONE, climate action, technical and vocational education, technology, and entrepreneurship.
To ensure no one is left behind, Sannoh said government plans to deliver practical training in local languages such as Mende and Temne, covering trades like carpentry, construction and modern farming techniques.
The promise comes at a time when Sierra Leone continues to grapple with high youth unemployment and underemployment, despite interventions under the World Bank-supported Productive Social Safety Net and Youth Employment Project.
The Minister called on the diaspora to support the job creation drive through investment, skills transfer and mentorship.
