By Sorie Sesay
NEEV Salone has launched a two-day skills training programme for 400 young people focusing on entrepreneurship, business readiness and electric mobility.
The training commenced on September 24, 2026, at the CB Hall, Maritime Building, Government Wharf, in Freetown.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, NEEV Salone Chief Executive Officer Moses S. Sandy said the initiative is designed to equip young people with practical skills to improve their employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Sandy said the first 400 participants were selected as part of efforts to create opportunities for young people, particularly those affected by drug abuse and single women facing economic and social challenges in their communities.
He said Sierra Leone must embrace emerging technologies as the global transportation sector continues to evolve, noting that electric mobility presents new opportunities for employment and skills development.
According to Sandy, NEEV Salone has already provided employment opportunities for a number of young people, while the latest training will help riders and drivers acquire the skills required to perform their duties professionally.
He said the company is receiving support from the Government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to advance its objectives.
Sandy also disclosed that cameras will be installed inside NEEV Salone’s electric tricycles, commonly known as kekehs, to assist passengers in recovering personal belongings accidentally left in the vehicles.
He urged the trainees to take the programme seriously and use the knowledge gained to develop professional careers and businesses.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Mima Yema Mimi Sobba-Stephens, said electric mobility offers a safer and more environmentally friendly approach to transportation.
She said electric vehicles produce fewer exhaust emissions than conventional fuel-powered vehicles, potentially contributing to improved air quality.
The Deputy Minister said the NEEV Salone initiative is aligned with the government’s efforts to transform the transportation sector while expanding employment opportunities for young people.
She encouraged citizens to support electric mobility and said the training would provide participants with practical skills that could improve their livelihoods.
Sobba-Stephens also stressed the importance of private-sector participation in addressing unemployment, saying government alone cannot provide all the opportunities and services required by citizens.
She commended NEEV Salone and its development partners for investing in skills development and creating opportunities for young people through entrepreneurship and electric mobility.
