In a move that further cements the enduring partnership between Sierra Leone and the People’s Republic of China, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh commended a generous $100,000 (over 2.3 billion old Leones) donation of school materials by the Chinese Government to Sierra Leone’s education sector.
The symbolic handover ceremony took place on Tuesday 13th May, 2025, at the Office of the Vice President on Tower Hill in Freetown, with top government officials, diplomats, and development partners in attendance. The donation included essential school furniture, blackboards, globes, footballs, solar-powered devices, and firefighting equipment, which are set to benefit 21 educational institutions across eight districts: Freetown, Bonthe, Kabala, Kono, Falaba, Port Loko, Tonkolili, and Kambia.
Receiving the items on behalf of the Government and people of Sierra Leone, Vice President Juldeh Jalloh expressed profound gratitude, describing the support as a “timely and impactful intervention” that directly aligns with the Government’s national agenda to transform education and human capital development.
“This donation is a clear demonstration of China’s continued commitment to the development of Sierra Leone’s education sector,” VP Jalloh stated. “On behalf of President Julius Maada Bio and the people of Sierra Leone, I extend our sincere thanks for this generous contribution, which enhances our efforts to provide equitable and quality education for all.”
He emphasized the strategic significance of international partnerships in bridging infrastructure gaps, particularly in underserved communities. He also highlighted the role of provincial-level collaborations, noting the potential of China’s Jiangxi Province to contribute more meaningfully in areas such as education, culture, and municipal development.
“We welcome deeper engagement and investment across key sectors, and look forward to working with China to unlock greater opportunities for our youths and future generations,” the Vice President concluded.
Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Wang Qing, reiterated that the donation reflects the outcomes of consensus reached between President Xi Jinping and President Julius Maada Bio to strengthen practical cooperation across key sectors.
“China will continue to be a strong development partner to Sierra Leone,” Ambassador Wang declared. “This initiative is part of a broader cooperation framework established, following the visit of Jiangxi Province Vice Governor Sun Hongshan to Sierra Leone in May 2024, aimed at boosting investment and bilateral collaboration.”
The handover event symbolized not only a material boost to the education sector, but also a deepening of diplomatic and developmental ties between the two nations. It reinforced Vice President Jalloh’s pivotal role in coordinating foreign assistance and ensuring that such support is aligned with Sierra Leone’s national priorities.