Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, David Moinina Sengeh, recently engaged in discussions with Bill Gates and his foundation team about technological innovations that could greatly benefit Sierra Leone.

During a recent bilateral meeting with Bill Gates, the co-chair of the Gates Foundation, Dr. Sengeh presented a compelling case for his country’s participation in the foundation’s technology programs.

This meeting, which took place on October 10, 2023, on the sidelines of the Grand Challenges Annual meeting in Dakar, provided Dr. Sengeh with an opportunity to showcase the remarkable technological advancements occurring in Sierra Leone. Notably, he highlighted the positive impact of mobile applications in education, particularly the use of result checkers and educational methods that benefit millions of students and their parents.

Sierra Leone’s dedication to artificial intelligence (AI) was another key point of discussion during the meeting. Dr. Sengeh outlined plans for an AI country lab and hybrid technology initiatives in Sierra Leone, aligning with the broader vision of enhancing human capital development. He acknowledged the pivotal role of a seed grant from the Gates Foundation, received in 2019, in supporting these efforts.

Additionally, Dr. Sengeh emphasized the strategic importance of AI tools in healthcare, specifically in monitoring pregnancy and healthcare facilities, as well as tracking referral outcomes. He also highlighted the significance of digital identity and positioned Sierra Leone as a potential hub for AI innovations.

In response, Bill Gates expressed his enthusiasm for Sierra Leone’s educational strategies, underscoring his strong belief in their effectiveness.

He stated, “Sierra Leone has been working on pedagogic structures and i am a keen believer in it.

He agreed on the importance of pedagogical strategies and the potential of AI to advance education. Gates pledged the foundation’s support for digital identity initiatives in Sierra Leone and encouraged the development of a budget for this purpose. He recognized digital identity as a solid foundation for improving health, education, and agriculture in the country.

The outcome of this meeting signifies a promising partnership between Sierra Leone and the Gates Foundation, with the potential to drive significant advancements in technology, education, healthcare, and agriculture in the West African nation. Dr. Sengeh’s persuasive advocacy for his country has established the groundwork for transformative collaborations in the future.