In Sierra Leone, a university degree is not the only pathway to a productive, self-reliant life — and Develop Africa has always believed that. For young people who are unable to pursue traditional academic routes, vocational and technical training programs offer a direct path to employment, entrepreneurship, and economic independence.

Develop Africa supports students who are admitted into vocational and technical training programs — much the way we support students admitted into secondary school or university. We do not run these programs ourselves. Instead, we identify motivated young people, particularly young women, who have been accepted into accredited trade and skills programs, and we provide the financial support, startup resources, and mentoring they need to complete their training and launch their livelihoods.

When a student is admitted into cosmetology training, we sponsor their enrollment. When a tailor completes her program and needs a sewing machine to open her business, we help provide it. The training builds the skill — our support removes the financial barrier that would otherwise prevent her from ever using it.

Vocational Programs We Support

Develop Africa sponsors students enrolled in a range of vocational and technical training programs, including:

• Cosmetology and hairstyling
• Sewing and tailoring
• Cooking and catering
• Soap making
• Gara and tie-dye fabric arts
• Adult literacy education
• Computer literacy and digital skills

In each case, our role is that of a sponsor — covering training fees, supplying essential materials, and walking alongside students as they complete their programs and transition into the workforce.

Promoting Entrepreneurship — Startup Kits and Tools

Completing a vocational program is only the first step. Starting a business requires tools — and for many graduates, that initial investment is out of reach. Develop Africa provides startup kits and essential equipment to graduates entering self-employment. A cosmetologist receives the supplies she needs to open her salon. A tailor receives a sewing machine. A caterer receives the equipment to launch her first orders.

These startup investments are among the highest-leverage resources we provide. A single sewing machine can generate income for decades. A set of hairstyling tools can support an entire family. By bridging the gap between training and employment, we help graduates turn new skills into lasting livelihoods.

Digital Skills and Computer Training

Computer proficiency is essential for participation in today's economy — and increasingly, it is a prerequisite for employment across sectors in Sierra Leone. Develop Africa supports students enrolled in computer literacy programs covering foundational computing, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, and hardware and networking.

We also deliver hands-on digital skills training directly at our Develop Africa Sierra Leone (DASL) computer lab — equipping youth and working professionals with the practical tools they need to compete in a digital workforce. Our AI literacy curriculum, delivered through the Multiplied Professional course, extends this training to professionals across education, banking, government, and NGO sectors.

Many jobs in Sierra Leone now require computer proficiency as a baseline. By supporting students in gaining these skills — and by providing the hardware and training environments to practice them — we are opening doors that would otherwise remain closed.

Mentoring

Workforce readiness is about more than skills — it is about confidence, goal-setting, and the resilience to navigate setbacks. Develop Africa's mentoring program connects vocational students and young professionals with experienced mentors who help them develop financial literacy, life skills, and the motivation to see their training through to employment.

For young women in particular, mentoring provides the sustained human support that makes the difference between completing a program and dropping out under family or social pressure. Our mentors walk alongside students not just through training, but into the early stages of their working lives.

Support the Next Generation of Sierra Leonean Entrepreneurs

Your donation directly sponsors a student's vocational training, funds a startup kit that launches a small business, or equips a computer lab that trains dozens of youth each year. Every contribution removes a financial barrier and puts a motivated young person one step closer to economic independence.

Help sponsor vocational training and workforce development — donate today.