5th December, 2025
The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) has met with a visiting delegation from the Anhui Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) to discuss deeper cooperation between Sierra Leone and China, particularly in higher education, technology, and skills development.
The visit was led by Zheng Hong, Vice Chairperson of the Anhui CPPCC, who said the delegation is in Sierra Leone to deepen ties and explore new opportunities for cooperation. He outlined Anhui’s economic and technological strengths, describing its strong research culture, its broad network of universities, and its fast-growing industries, including new energy vehicles and artificial intelligence. He also spoke about the province’s well-developed transport systems and its well-known tourism destinations.
Zheng noted that Anhui already maintains partnerships across several countries and hosts a wide range of international companies, with many of its own firms operating abroad. He added that the delegation will spend an extra day in Sierra Leone to identify potential areas for collaboration and determine where they can offer meaningful support.
MTHE’s Minister, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, welcomed the delegation and praised China’s decades-long support to Sierra Leone through scholarships, training, and institutional partnerships. She referenced ongoing cooperation, including an MOU with the China University of Geosciences in Wuhan.
Dr. Wurie noted that advancing technology and innovation aligns with President Julius Maada Bio’s national priorities. She said the Ministry is seeking Chinese support for university digitalization, smart classrooms, joint research programs, staff and student exchanges, and broader innovation initiatives.
The meeting ended with both sides expressing interest in expanding cooperation in education, research, and emerging technologies.