AYV News, September 2, 2026
The Commissioner of Labour, together with some Senior Officials of the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, has concluded a week-long high-level China–Africa Ministerial Workshop on State Governance in Beijing, China.
The training, held from 25–31 August 2026, brought together officials from African countries to exchange experiences and deepen understanding of governance, national development planning, urban development, digital transformation, poverty reduction and high-quality development. It was organised by the China Center for Urban Development under the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).
The programme provided participants with practical insights into China’s approach to modernisation, high-quality development under the Belt and Road Initiative, urbanisation, rural revitalisation, development planning and governance. Participants also undertook a field study in Xiong’an New Area, Hebei Province, focusing on smart-city development, digital economy innovation and the use of technology to strengthen modern urban governance.
For the Sierra Leone delegation, the training provided more than an opportunity for professional learning. The Commissioner of Labour used the platform to strengthen institutional relations and forge enduring ties with Chinese counterparts, particularly around labour administration, skills development, employment creation, governance and sustainable economic development.
Through engagements with Chinese officials and experts, the Commissioner explored opportunities for greater cooperation and knowledge exchange that could contribute to strengthening Sierra Leone’s labour governance systems and improving the capacity of institutions responsible for employment and social protection.
The training also provided an opportunity for the Sierra Leone delegation to share the country’s own governance experiences, challenges and development priorities, while exploring pathways for deeper international cooperation under the Belt and Road framework. The programme specifically encouraged participating officials to exchange experiences on governance practices and discuss opportunities for international cooperation.
The Commissioner’s engagement reflects the Ministry’s commitment to building strategic partnerships that go beyond traditional cooperation to include institutional capacity-building, technical knowledge transfer, skills development, digital transformation and policy learning.
The China–Africa engagement is particularly relevant to Sierra Leone’s development priorities, as China’s experience demonstrates how effective planning, institutional coordination, technological innovation, infrastructure development and human-capital investment can be brought together to support national development.
The week-long engagement therefore marks an important step towards strengthening China–Sierra Leone cooperation in labour, employment and governance, with the potential to translate the relationships and lessons gained into practical initiatives that benefit workers, employers and the wider economy.
As the delegation returns home, the Ministry is expected to continue building on these engagements, transforming the relationships established in China into sustained institutional cooperation and practical development outcomes for Sierra Leone.
