In Sierra Leone, where people under 35 make up nearly 80% of the population, motorcycle taxi drivers are everywhere. Estimated at more than 1.2 million nationwide, they provide essential transportation in rural areas, but until now have had a reputation as troublemakers, often clashing with the police. President Julius Maada Bio has decided to transform this potential into a force for social stability.

On December 2, 2025, the head of state officially launched a training program for 1,300 young motorcycle taxi drivers, supported by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund. “I myself am a former motorcycle taxi driver,” the president noted, establishing a personal connection with the beneficiaries. He urged these young people to seize this opportunity for training in alternative trades, as part of his government’s “Big Five Game Changers” initiative.

The program, implemented by the Ministry of Youth in partnership with the UNDP and the United Nations Capital Development Fund, offers recognized technical and vocational training. Participants receive education on road safety, financial management, entrepreneurship, and citizenship, with the option to specialize in plumbing, carpentry, or hairdressing. The program also includes opening bank accounts and distributing starter kits.

Beyond mere training, the initiative aims to reconcile motorcyclists with law enforcement. The signing in October 2024 of a national agreement between the police, the Road Safety Authority, and the motorcyclists’ union laid the groundwork for this dialogue. Regular consultation forums have helped resolve grievances and build mutual trust. Hundreds of motorcyclists have already been trained as “peace ambassadors,” learning how to defuse conflicts and promote nonviolence.

“Motorcyclists are now recognized as peaceful citizens,” says the union’s secretary-general. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to develop human capital, which President Bio considers the country’s most precious resource. By empowering young people to build a sustainable and peaceful future, Julius Maada Bio is proving that peace is also achieved on the roads and in communities.

TheHatLady