Sierra Leone, UNICEF Plan Major Expansion of Digital Learning Hubs
Sia Lucy Kannah The Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation (MoCTI) has reaffirmed its partnership with UNICEF to advance digital learning, school connectivity, child online safety and youth empowerment in Sierra Leone.
The commitment was highlighted during a courtesy visit by newly appointed UNICEF Representative to Sierra Leone, Mariko Kagoshima, to Minister Salima Monorma Bah at the NaTCA Tower in Imatt, Freetown. Discussions also focused on implementing the country’s national Open-Source First Policy, launched during the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81).
A key priority was expanding the Digital Learning Hubs established by the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) in collaboration with UNICEF. The hubs, operating at Fourah Bay College and IPAM in Freetown, Ernest Bai Koroma University in Makeni, and Eastern Technical University in Kenema, have provided thousands of young people with access to basic and advanced digital skills training.
Minister Bah and Kagoshima also discussed plans to extend the hubs to more regions and connect additional schools to high-speed internet through Project Giga, a global initiative by UNICEF and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to connect every school to the internet.
Minister Bah expressed appreciation to UNICEF Sierra Leone for its continued partnership in promoting technology-driven development, as both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to equipping young people with digital skills, tools and online safety protections.