The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation convened a Moroccan delegation on February 2, 2026, a decisive push to unlock educational opportunities for Sierra Leonean youth. The delegation comprised officials from the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI) and the Office of Vocational Training and Employment Promotion (OFPPT) engaged in intensive talks focused on revitalizing an underutilized scholarship program and expanding vocational training cooperation.
Director General of the Ministry, Alan C. E. Logan, opened proceedings by lauding the enduring bilateral partnership. “This meeting is the fruit of cooperation between our two nations,” Logan stated. He committed to identifying critical national priorities within education and vocational training, assuring the delegation of the Ministry’s full political will to align discussed courses with Sierra Leone’s developmental programs.
Delegation head Hamza Chbihi, of the Moroccan Embassy in Freetown, reaffirmed the “excellent” high-level political relations. He clarified that the meeting was in response to Sierra Leone’s request to “maximize the potential” of Moroccan scholarship offers. “We consistently find Sierra Leone steadfast partners in our shared roadmap for cooperation,” Hamza noted.
A central issue addressed was the underutilized Moroccan scholarship quota. Abdelhak Ben Raiss, Head of Academic Cooperation at AMCI, revealed that 105 annual scholarships, 75 for academic study and 30 for professional training, remain incompletely accessed. “We are ambitious to find solutions this week so Sierra Leonean students can fully benefit,” Ben Raiss underscored, pointing to upcoming technical meetings as crucial for defining actionable steps.
The delegation underscored vocational training’s essential role. Mohamed Oulhazzan, Director at OFPPT’s Electrical Engineering Skills Development Center, explained his team’s mission to analyse institutions and technical levels. “Our core specialty is assessing a country’s needs to formulate precise, effective responses,” Oulhazzan stated. He highlighted OFPPT’s scale as Morocco’s primary public operator for vocational training, managing over 500 schools with a capacity for 40,000 trainees annually. “We are eager to share expertise in this African-to-African cooperation,” he said, expressing readiness to host Sierra Leonean trainees.
Abdelhak Bounouidar, also of OFPPT, detailed their employer-centric strategy. “Companies are at the heart of our planning,” he said, describing a competency-based approach strengthened by Public-Private Partnerships. This ensures training directly meets private-sector demands.
The delegation outlined structured vocational pathways for Sierra Leoneans, detailing three primary tiers: the Qualified Level, accessible to holders of post-secondary education; the Technician Level, for high school completers regardless of diploma status; and the specialized Technician Level, requiring a high school diploma or equivalent. The office further emphasized available short, medium, and long-term qualifying programs, noting these frameworks include defined advancement routes between successive levels.
The discussions mark a significant step towards translating strong diplomatic relations into tangible educational outcomes, aiming to equip Sierra Leonean youth with skills demanded by the modern economy.
Correspondent/News Editor – Amara Kargbo
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Email: kargboamara079@gmail.com
Phone: +232 73111507507
