By: Mamajah Jalloh
Sierra Leone and Russia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening educational cooperation, with discussions focusing on scholarships, Russian-language training, technical and vocational education, scientific research, and institutional partnerships.
The discussions took place during the Second Russian-African Raw Materials Dialogue, held in St. Petersburg from October 12 to 17, 2026.
Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, held bilateral talks with Russian Deputy Minister Konstantin Mogilevsky at Saint Petersburg Mining University (Empress Catherine II). The discussions explored opportunities to expand educational exchanges and strengthen existing partnerships between the two countries.
Welcoming the Sierra Leonean delegation, Mogilevsky recalled the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two ministries in Moscow three years ago. He disclosed that six Sierra Leonean students had secured fully funded scholarships through Russia’s Open Doors Scholarship Programme for the current academic year.
He added that 151 Sierra Leonean students were currently studying at Russian universities across various disciplines and expressed Russia’s willingness to increase scholarship opportunities for Sierra Leoneans.
In response, Kamara conveyed greetings from President Julius Maada Bio and Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, who was unable to attend the meeting. He described education as a cornerstone of relations between Sierra Leone and Russia.
Kamara noted that educational cooperation between Africa and the former Soviet Union dates back to the 1960s, producing professionals in medicine, engineering, science, technology, and agriculture.
He said education remained central to Sierra Leone’s development agenda under President Bio’s Free Quality Education initiative and the country’s ambition to attain middle-income status by 2039.
According to Kamara, approximately 200 Sierra Leonean students are pursuing studies in Russia, while 25 graduated from Russian universities this year, including 12 medical doctors.
He called for expanded cooperation in Russian-language training, technical and vocational education, scientific research, engineering, agriculture, medicine, and digital technology.
Kamara also disclosed Sierra Leone’s intention to establish permanent Russian-language training centres to prepare students for academic opportunities in Russia and promote cultural exchange between the two countries.
He emphasised that proficiency in Russian would help students integrate into academic life, communicate effectively with their counterparts, and participate more fully in research, innovation, and professional development.
Meanwhile, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Russia, Mohamed Yongawo, welcomed Russia’s decision to reopen its embassy in Sierra Leone, describing the development as an important step in the countries’ bilateral relations.
Yongawo disclosed that Russian-language studies had commenced in Sierra Leone. He said Eastern Technical University was discussing the initiative, while the Centre for Public Diplomacy had established a Russian Language and Cultural Centre at its Kenema campus.
He urged Russian authorities to work closely with the Sierra Leonean embassy and the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education to strengthen the selection process for the Open Doors Scholarship Programme and improve access to opportunities for Sierra Leonean students.
Former Foreign Minister Timothy Musa Kabba also called for increased opportunities for Sierra Leoneans seeking postgraduate education and specialist training in Russia.
The Sierra Leonean delegation included Presidential Adviser and former Foreign Minister Timothy Musa Kabba; Ambassador Mohamed Yongawo; Eastern Technical University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Lawrence Sao Babawo; and Fourah Bay College lecturer, Dr. Solomon Augustine Tucker.