The State-Of-The Art Digital Centre in Freetown which was opened in partnership with German cooperation and dedicated to innovation and skills development for young people has been officially inaugurated by the leading mobile network in Sierra Leone, Orange.

Speaking at the ceremony, Afisatou Sall Gaye, on behalf of the Director General Sonatel Sekou Drame expressed appreciation over the success of the event and rolled out the importance of the digital centre towards the young people of Sierra Leone.

‘’I am very happy to be present among you today here in Freetown to inaugurate with all of our partners, the Orange Digital Center, the 14th on the continent and the fourth of our SONATEL group. This Digital Center will help train thousands of Sierra Leoneans free of charge in new digital technologies, to make them become producers of content and technologies, well beyond simple consumers and reinforce their employability,” she said.

“I would like to express our gratitude to all our partners and particularly the German Cooperation with whom we share a common belief on the impact that this Orange Digital Center will have in Sierra Leone.”

Gaye further noted that, “This ecosystem set up today is based above all on a common vision of shared development that involves digital technology and solid and lasting partnerships. We are open to partnerships that could complement our system to offer to as many people as possible access and support for best uses of new technologies.’’

Speaking on the strength and the support which stand ahead, she said there are lot of opportunities set aside to be accorded innovators who may work on international best standards, adding that it may also encourage and promote job creation that will be a sustainable one.

‘’Through the strengthening of its network, the Orange Digital Center enables a great exchange of experiences and expertise from one country to another and offers a simple and inclusive approach to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship and support the local digital fabric.  It will provide a real and concrete impact to all the actors of the digital economy and will give opportunities to innovators to work together beyond borders,” she said.

“The establishment of our Orange Digital Center is one of the testaments that Orange is here to stay! To enhance our capacity for future investment in the country, we need the support of the government to create an enabling fiscal regime that will foster the success of Orange and strengthen the sustainability of our investment to continue to make meaningful impact on the young Sierra Leoneans and enhancing job creation and entrepreneurship,’’ Gaye added.

She maintained that, Orange Sonatel, has set itself the ambition of being the preferred partner for the digital transformation of the partner countries, which is also a very good stands for the future of a more developed Sierra Leone with the youth as the centre focus, better trained and equipped to approach serenely the present and future challenges.