Sierra Leone targets 500,000 youth jobs by 2030
Planning Minister Barlay reaffirmed the goal at a Freetown summit focused on West African economic development.
Sierra Leone aims to create 500,000 jobs for young people by 2030, according to Planning Minister Kenyeh Barlay. She restated this target on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, during a regional summit in Freetown. The government's Youth Employment Scheme is a key part of this plan to address unemployment.
Barlay, speaking for Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, stated that youth employment is central to the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024–2030. She noted that 15,000 young people gained short-term work in 2024 through the National Commission for Social Action, rehabilitating community facilities. The minister acknowledged challenges like low pay and limited access to finance.
The Free Quality School Education programme has increased school enrollment by over one million children since 2019. The Feed Salone initiative also aims to create jobs in agriculture and fisheries. Ngone Diop of the Economic Commission for Africa highlighted that 91.6 per cent of West African employment was informal in 2025.
Why it mattersYoung people in Sierra Leone are directly affected by the government's commitment to creating jobs and developing skills.