By Kadijatu Bangura. D.S
FREETOWN — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sierra Leone has partnered with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and the Armed Forces Technical and Education College (AFTEC) to train 100 young Sierra Leoneans as professional drivers for electric vehicles.
The training is being conducted under the Sierra Ride electric mobility initiative – a new project aimed at introducing clean, sustainable transport, creating jobs for youth, and modernizing urban transportation in the capital.
The 100 prospective drivers, selected from across the country, are currently undergoing an intensive two-week orientation programme focused on electric vehicle operations, road safety, battery charging systems, vehicle management and maintenance.
The programme is designed to equip participants with practical, industry-relevant skills to operate and manage electric vehicles efficiently.
Upon completion of the training, an initial fleet of 50 electric vehicles is expected to hit the streets of Freetown as part of a pilot phase to promote cleaner and more sustainable mobility.
UNDP says the Sierra Ride initiative sits at the intersection of environmental sustainability, youth empowerment and technological innovation, positioning young people to take advantage of opportunities in the emerging green economy.
According to organisers, the initiative will not only help reduce carbon emissions and fuel dependency, but also build local capacity in electric mobility and open new employment pathways for Sierra Leonean youth.
They noted that as the global transport sector transitions to cleaner energy, it is critical to prepare young Sierra Leoneans with the skills needed to participate and compete.
The project marks a significant step towards expanding the use of electric vehicles in Sierra Leone, linking the shift to clean transportation with job creation and skills development for the nation’s youth.
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