Sierra Leone has left a profound mark on the world stage with its exceptional performance at the 2023 Robotics Olympics, hosted in Singapore from October 7th to 10th.

This international event, organized by FIRST Global, a U.S.-based non-profit public charity, witnessed Sierra Leone’s ascent to the 50th position out of 191 participating countries, marking a substantial leap from their previous year’s standing of 97th among 163 contenders.

The FIRST Global Challenge, often likened to an Olympics-style extravaganza, stands as a global platform that kindles the flame of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) passion among youth worldwide. Each participating nation undertakes the mission of constructing and programming a robot for competition, with teams collaborating to tackle tasks centered around global challenges.

Under the banner of “Hydrogen Horizons,” this year’s event underscored the pivotal role of hydrogen in the realm of renewable energy and the pursuit of a reduced carbon future. The competition encouraged dynamic alliances among three national teams to collectively craft renewable energy networks, spotlighting the cooperative endeavor essential for sustainable energy solutions. Contestants were tasked with deploying their ingenuity and problem-solving acumen to assemble a proficient robot using a standard kit of parts.

Team Sierra Leone, facilitated by the National Commission for Children, showcased their ingenuity by crafting, designing, and programming their robot within their home nation, Sierra Leone, before taking the stage in Singapore. This outstanding team comprised five secondary school students hailing from diverse institutions, including Daniel R. Falama, Vanya Olabisi Flangoh, Valdie S. R. Valcarcel, Hadiatu Barrie, and Christian Kamara, guided by two adult mentors, Emmanuel Steven Kamanda and Susan Kargbo.

Throughout the competition, Team Sierra Leone consistently delivered remarkable performances in all ten of their matches. Their spirit of collaboration with alliance partners drew substantial acclaim, with one commentator noting, “I don’t think we have witnessed such exemplary teamwork before.”

Sierra Leone’s steadfast participation in the FIRST Global Challenge over the past five years demonstrates their unwavering commitment to fostering STEM education and innovation. Their impressive leap in the rankings from 97th to 50th in just one year underscores the nation’s dedication to nurturing budding talent in the domains of robotics and technology.

As the competition concluded, Team Sierra Leone prepares to return home, departing from Singapore on October 11th, 2023, and landing in Sierra Leone on October 13th, 2023. Their achievements in the 2023 Robotics Olympics are a source of immense pride for their nation and a testament to the promising future of STEM education and innovation in Sierra Leone.