During the technical committee meeting organized by the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) and supported by the National Consumer Protection Commission (NCPC) on digital marketing studies, Deputy Minister of Trade Madam Fatmata Kargbo delivered a warm opening statement.

She welcomed all participants, especially those who had traveled from other countries, to Freetown, Sierra Leone, highlighting the city’s beauty and the country’s rich culture. She also encouraged participants to explore and experience the hospitality of Sierra Leone.

In her remarks on digital marketing, Madam Kargbo emphasized the significant transformation digital marketing has undergone worldwide in the past decade, with Sierra Leone and the broader ECOWAS region being part of this shift.

She highlighted how digital marketing has become a crucial tool for businesses to reach broader audiences, enhance brand visibility, and drive growth.

What began as basic online promotions has evolved into an integrated, data-driven marketing ecosystem encompassing social media platforms, search engine optimization, mobile marketing, and e-commerce.

This transformation has been fueled by the rise of mobile phone penetration and greater internet access, which has allowed businesses to engage with consumers more effectively and expand their market reach.

Madam Kargbo also discussed how businesses and entrepreneurs across West Africa are increasingly leveraging digital platforms to promote their goods and services, breaking down barriers to regional trade and facilitating cross-border commerce.

She linked this digital evolution to the President’s Big Five Agenda, which aims to promote economic development through modernization and innovation, particularly in the context of trade and entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone.

Digital marketing, she explained, is central to achieving these objectives by enabling businesses to connect more efficiently with consumers and foster economic growth in line with the government’s broader goals.