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Abdul Malik Tejan-Sie, the Director of Sierra Leone’s Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI), recently appeared on AYV’s “Wake Up Salone” to discuss the country’s preparedness in the rapidly advancing technological landscape.
His insights highlighted Sierra Leone’s commitment to becoming a regional leader in digital transformation and innovation, particularly in education.
During the interview, Tejan-Sie emphasized the strong support from President Julius Maada Bio, stating that the political will at the highest level is a driving force behind the country’s technological advancements. He mentioned that the government has already established the necessary sectors to ensure that Sierra Leone is prepared to embrace the digital age.
“Our current task,” he noted, “is to enable these sectors to function efficiently for the benefit of the people.” Tejan-Sie pointed to the recent Tech Summit in Sierra Leone as a significant milestone, describing it as an “ice breaker” that showcased the country’s readiness to the global community. He added that the current administration places a higher priority on technological progress compared to previous governments.
However, Tejan-Sie acknowledged that there are still challenges to overcome. “The most pressing need for Sierra Leoneans in terms of technology is an enabling environment,” he explained. He stressed the importance of collaboration between citizens, the private sector, and the government to create a robust tech ecosystem.
In terms of theoretical readiness, Tejan-Sie estimated that Sierra Leone is about 50 to 60 percent prepared to fully integrate technology into various sectors. He called for continued efforts to build on this foundation and ensure that technology becomes a transformative tool for development across the nation.
Watch Full Interview;
