Dr. Kaitibi Uplifts SLMA’s Profile
When Dr. Daniel Kaitibi took over as Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) two years ago, the institution was struggling with weak enforcement at sea, poor revenue performance, and limited presence outside Freetown.
Today, the story is different. Under his leadership, SLMA is being repositioned as one of the most reformed and result-driven maritime agencies in the sub-region.
From weak enforcement to strict safety regime.
One of Dr. Kaitibi’s first moves was to declare war on unsafe practices on Sierra Leone’s waterways. In collaboration with the Sierra Leone Police and the Ministry of Fisheries, SLMA launched “Operation Life Jacket Must Wear”, a nationwide campaign that has seen over 50,000 life jackets distributed to boat operators in Tombo, Bonthe, Shenge, Rokupr and Kambia.
This has led to a sharp drop in fatalities from boat accidents, according to figures from the National Disaster Management Agency.
“We cannot talk about blue economy if our people are dying at sea. Safety is non-negotiable,” Dr. Kaitibi said in a recent interview.
Revenue and Digital Reforms
Under Dr. Kaitibi, SLMA has automated its vessel registration and licensing system, cutting down bureaucracy and leakages. The Administration has, for the first time, exceeded its annual revenue target for two consecutive years, with funds now directly supporting government’s development agenda. The introduction of the Maritime Monitoring System has also curbed illegal activities along the coastline.
On Decentralization and Staff Welfare
Staff welfare has seen major improvement. Last week, the Administration boosted its provincial staff with motorbikes to enhance monitoring in hard-to-reach riverine communities, a move that has been widely praised by staff in beneficial areas.
Provincial offices that were once dormant are now fully operational, with improved staff accommodation and logistics.
On International Image, Sierra Leone was previously on the blacklist for high-risk flag registry, but with the relentless efforts in working with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to clean the ship registry, restore credibility, and attract compliant vessels to fly the Sierra Leone flag, stakeholders in the maritime sector, including boat owners, fishermen and international partners, say Dr. Kaitibi has brought professionalism, discipline and academic depth to the institution.
From signing a landmark Maritime Collaboration Pact with Liberia Maritime Authority and his stance on World Seafarers Day 2025, where he called for “Zero Tolerance for Bullying and Harassment at Sea – My Harassment-Free Ship”, Dr. Kaitibi has indeed put Sierra Leone on the world maritime map with dignity.
Dr. Kaitibi will be remembered by History for championing the Sierra Leone Ocean Shipping Company (SLOSCo), the Joint Venture with China’s Zhejiang Xiehai Group (China’s 3rd largest shipping group) and the ratification of these agreements on August 4th 2026 by Parliament, thereby opening the door for jobs for the country’s trained seafarers, technology transfer, and revenue generation for the nation.
With Sierra Leone looking to tap into its blue economy potentials for jobs and growth, many see Dr. Kaitibi’s reforms at SLMA as a key foundation. The Ministry of Transport and Aviation has described his leadership as “focused, innovative and in line with President Bio’s Big Five Game Changers.”
As an IT Specialist turned maritime leader, Dr. Kaitibi brought the same digital reforms he did at NATCOM to the SLMA – improving revenue mobilization, accountability and transparency.
Dr. Kaitibi is not just administering the sea – he is securing our future, protecting our waters, and creating opportunities for young Sierra Leoneans.
His unmatched, outstanding, result-oriented leadership
Sierra Leoneans would always wish to put on record their profound appreciation and massive commendations on to Dr. Kaitibi for transforming a moribund Administration and building it into an Industry. Where others saw challenges, he saw opportunities. Where there were complaints of neglect, he brought motorbikes, logistics and motivation to the field officers in all regions.
Dr. Kaitibi is a rare combination of brain, integrity and action, a technocrat with a human heart and a leader who listens to the smallest fisherman in Tombo, as much as he engages with IMO in London.
KEEP SAILING, KEEP LEADING AND KEEP TRANSFORMING!