Three Ministries, Private Sector Join Forces to Shape Sierra Leone’s Digital Future
Aaron Parker Sierra Leone has brought together three key government ministries and a coalition of private-sector partners in a joint effort to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and position technology as a driver of economic growth and regional integration.
The engagement took place during the 81st United Nations General Assembly week and brought together the Ministry of Communications, Technology and Innovation, the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, alongside telecommunications, energy, data infrastructure and technology companies.
Minister of Communications, Technology and Innovation, Salima Monorma Bah, and Minister of Energy, Cyril Grant, participated in person, while Minister of Trade and Industry, Ibrahim Alpha Sesay, joined the discussions remotely.
The roundtable focused on finding practical solutions and attracting investment across Sierra Leone’s digital value chain, with participants examining the links between energy security, digital connectivity and trade.
The discussions highlighted the importance of reliable energy to support digital infrastructure, while telecommunications networks and data systems were identified as critical components for expanding the country’s digital economy.
The International Data Center Authority participated in the engagement and highlighted Sierra Leone’s efforts to develop data infrastructure in line with international standards used by major global companies, including AWS, Microsoft and Bloomberg.
Telecommunications companies Africell Sierra Leone and Sierratelsl also participated, with discussions building on their newly approved partnership to relaunch Sierratel under a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) model.
Energy-sector partners, including Africa Climate and Energy Nexus, Aton Path and AEB, contributed to discussions on the energy infrastructure required to support Sierra Leone’s growing digital ambitions, while Bell Canada participated in discussions on 5G deployment.
The collaboration reflects an effort by the government and private sector to approach digital transformation as a shared responsibility, linking public policy, infrastructure, investment and technology development.
The engagement also builds on President Julius Maada Bio’s recent UNGA remarks, in which he urged African countries to develop and govern their own digital infrastructure rather than remain dependent on technology developed elsewhere.
President Bio also invited investors to continue discussions at Sierra Leone’s inaugural West Africa Integration and Investment Summit, scheduled for November, as the country seeks to deepen investment and regional economic integration.