Liberia’s Trade and Investment Envoy to Canada Visits MVTC to Boost Technical Training Cooperation
Liberia’s Trade and Investment Envoy to Canada Visits MVTC to Boost Technical Training Cooperation
PAYNESVILLE, Liberia — August 18, 2026 — Liberia’s Trade and Investment Representative to Canada, Hon. Jallaqueena Hawa Konneh, has paid a courtesy visit to the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) on August 17, 2026, to explore opportunities for strengthening Liberia-Canada cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The Hon. Jallaqueena Hawa Konneh's visit focused on identifying practical areas of collaboration, including student and trainer exchanges, curriculum development, technical expertise, modern training equipment, and sustainable institutional partnerships between Liberia and Canadian institutions.
During the meeting, Assistant Minister for TVET at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Hon. Tamba F. Collins, emphasized the need for Liberia to first strengthen and harmonize its TVET system to maximize the benefits of international partnerships.
Minister Collins noted that Liberia currently lacks a single, unified institution responsible for coordinating the TVET sector. He said the proposed TVET bill, which remains pending enactment, is critical to establishing a coordinated national framework that brings together government institutions, private-sector actors, training providers, and other stakeholders.
He further acknowledged that vocational and technical training institutions across Liberia do not yet operate under a fully standardized curriculum. Harmonizing the curriculum, he explained, would help establish common standards and make it easier for Liberia to engage effectively with international partners, including Canada.
At the same time, Assistant Minister Collins welcomed the prospect of expanded international training opportunities. He expressed interest in having MVTC students and instructors travel to Canada for advanced training, technical exposure, and professional development in their respective fields.
He also encouraged Canadian technical experts and trainers to visit Liberia to share knowledge, provide specialized training, and support capacity-building efforts within local TVET institutions.
The Assistant Minister further called for Canadian partners to consider supporting Liberia with modern training materials, tools, machinery, and equipment to improve the quality and relevance of vocational education. He stressed that international exchanges should be structured to enable knowledge and skills acquired abroad to be transferred and effectively applied within Liberia.
Minister Collins also urged continued political support for the passage of the proposed TVET legislation, noting that a strong, coordinated, and standardized national TVET system would position Liberia to benefit more effectively from international cooperation and investment.
For her part, Hon. Konneh explained that the Trade and Investment Office, established in 2024, serves as Liberia’s official trade and investment representation in Canada. Its mandate includes facilitating bilateral trade, coordinating partnerships between Canadian institutions and Liberian government agencies, promoting investment opportunities, supporting import and export initiatives, and engaging the Liberian diaspora.
She said her office is working to promote Liberia as a country open for business while connecting government institutions with credible Canadian partners capable of supporting Liberia’s development priorities.
Hon. Konneh emphasized that the focus should be on building sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships rather than traditional aid-based relationships. She noted that Canada offers significant opportunities in the TVET sector that Liberia can explore, particularly in skills development, technical training, institutional capacity-building, and investment.
She also referenced Canada’s growing engagement with Africa, including its Canada-Africa strategy, as an opportunity for Liberia to attract new partnerships and investments in technical education, workforce development, and skills training.
Earlier, MVTC Director, Madam Irene Bass, welcomed the delegation and expressed the institution’s readiness to collaborate with the Trade and Investment Office and potential Canadian partners.
Madam Bass underscored the importance of student exchange programs and opportunities for MVTC instructors to receive advanced technical training and exposure in Canada. She also invited the delegation to the center’s upcoming student exhibition, where trainees will demonstrate practical skills in construction, carpentry, automotive technology, electrical work, and other vocational disciplines.
The MVTC Directress disclosed that the institution has already submitted proposals seeking support for several key initiatives, including training simulators, solar repair programs, modern tools and equipment, and the strengthening of vocational services.
She assured the delegation that MVTC would prepare and submit an updated and comprehensive proposal to the Trade and Investment Office for consideration and possible linkage with Canadian institutions and partners.
The visit of Hon. Jallaqueena Hawa Konneh concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening Liberia-Canada cooperation in TVET and identifying practical, sustainable, and mutually beneficial opportunities that can expand skills development, improve training quality, and better prepare Liberian young people for employment and entrepreneurship.
