2025 Sierra Leone Innovates: Digital Government Summit
Theme
5+ Years of NIDS: Building the Skills to Drive Sustainable Economic Growth and National Development
The 2025 Sierra Leone Innovates: Digital Government Summit, organized by the Government of Sierra Leone, will commemorate five years of progress under the National Innovation and Digital Strategy (NIDS). The summit will convene policymakers, technology leaders, innovators, and regional stakeholders to evaluate achievements, address ongoing challenges, and outline a clear roadmap for the next phase of digital transformation.
With the guiding principle of “Digitization for All,” the summit will prioritize building an inclusive digital government that fosters employment opportunities and supports sustainable economic growth. It will also serve as a platform to reaffirm the national commitment to achieving the goal of creating 65,000 jobs, ensuring that digital initiatives benefit all Sierra Leoneans.
The 2025 Sierra Leone Innovates Summit underscores Sierra Leone’s dedication to using technology to promote equitable development and empowerment, driving the nation closer to a future of innovation and shared prosperity.
2025 Summit Overview
The Sierra Leone Innovates Summit 2025 is designed to be more than a showcase of technology and innovation—it is a strategic platform to promote good governance, youth empowerment, and economic growth. Through the theme – 5+ Years of the National Innovation and Digital Strategy (NIDS): Driving towards a Paperless and Cashless Government for National Development and Economic Growth
The theme and structure of the summit have been carefully crafted to align with the pillars of the National Innovation and Digital Strategy (NIDS), which include Digital Identity, Digital Economy, and Digital Governance. This alignment ensures that Sierra Leone’s digital government initiatives contribute to economic growth, broaden access to essential services, and enhance transparency. The event will focus on fostering inclusive digital transformation by:
- Advancing Digital Governance: Enhancing public service delivery through improved transparency, efficiency, and citizen-centric digital solutions
- Establishing Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborating with industry leaders to drive innovation, investment, and infrastructure development
- Developing a Digitally Skilled Workforce: Strengthening digital skills training to prepare Sierra Leoneans for opportunities in the growing digital economy, with a target of creating 65,000 jobs in the tech sector.
- Enhancing Data Governance and Cybersecurity: Implementing robust measures to protect digital infrastructure and safeguard citizen data.
Summit Components
Opening
The summit will commence with a plenary session under the philosophy “Digitization for All,” setting a bold vision for inclusive and accessible digital services across Sierra Leone. This session will include:
- Cultural performance
- Fireside Chat with H.E. President Bio on ‘The role of leadership to accelerate the government’s Digital Transformation Agenda’
- Showcase of the government’s Digital Transformation Journey
- Statements from Government leaders, development partners and dignitaries
Panels
Thematic panels focus on the core pillars of the National Innovation and Digital Strategy (NIDS): Digital Identity, Digital Economy, and Digital Governance.
Key discussions will involve government leaders, private sector experts, and international partners, exploring:
- Digital infrastructure
- Data Governance
- Cashless and paperless government
- Public-private partnerships to drive innovation and sustainability
- Data governance
- Capacity building through civic education
Interactive Breakout Sessions for Job Readiness
Focused, hands-on breakout sessions will equip university students, job seekers, and young professionals with practical digital skills to thrive in a competitive economy. Participants will gain expertise in:
- Digital tools and Skills for job readiness
- Cybersecurity fundamentals to enhance digital safety.
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship for start-ups
These sessions are integral to Sierra Leone’s ambitious goal of creating 500,000 jobs by 2030, and building a skilled workforce ready to contribute meaningfully to the digital economy.
Tech Job Fair
The Tech Job Fair will bridge the gap between skilled Sierra Leonean talent and employers in the tech and digital government sectors. Featuring booths from government agencies, start-ups, and private companies, the fair will offer:
- On-the-spot interviews and résumé reviews.
- Networking opportunities with potential employers.
This initiative directly supports Sierra Leone’s employment objectives by facilitating immediate career placements and empowering youth to join the digital workforce.
Big Five Innovation Investment Challenge
The Big Five Innovation Investment Challenge will serve as a platform for district-led innovations to attract capital and expertise, fueling economic growth, job creation, and societal impact. Youth-led start-ups and ventures will compete across Sierra Leone’s 16 districts, addressing key national priorities aligned with the Big Five Game Changers Agenda:
- Feed Salone
- Human Capital Development
- Youth Employment
- Revamping Public Services
- Infrastructure Development
Top projects will progress to a semi-final refinement phase, culminating in a grand finale where finalists will pitch their solutions during the Tech Summit. The challenge prioritizes investment readiness and aims to empower youth-driven ventures, driving income generation and employment for Sierra Leone’s young population.
Tech and Innovation Expo
The Tech and Innovation Expo will spotlight innovations from tech companies, start-ups, and digital entrepreneurs that align with Sierra Leone’s digital transformation agenda. This component will feature dedicated booths, acquired through sponsorships from leading tech companies and innovators, providing a unique opportunity to engage and network directly with government officials, investors, and summit delegates.
These booths will serve as dynamic platforms for showcasing products and services, fostering collaboration, creating networking opportunities, and positioning companies, start-ups and entrepreneurs to attract investments and establish strategic partnerships that advance Sierra Leone’s digital future.
Country-as-AI-Lab Workshop
A forward-looking workshop will explore Sierra Leone’s role as a testing ground for AI-driven solutions in governance, healthcare, and education. Researchers and innovators will showcase projects demonstrating AI’s ability to enhance public service delivery while addressing national priorities. The session encourages experimentation and positions Sierra Leone as a regional leader in AI applications for governance and development.
Policy Roundtables
Policy-focused discussions will address the development of inclusive policies to accelerate digital transformation in alignment with the Big Five priorities. Stakeholders will collaborate to design strategies that promote:
- Expansion of digital infrastructure.
- Adoption of cashless governance models.
- Enhanced cybersecurity and data governance.
The roundtables will emphasize public-private partnerships, digital skills development, and creating a policy environment conducive to youth-driven innovation and investment
Networking Opportunities
Dedicated networking sessions will foster collaboration among youth, tech companies, investors, and government representatives. These opportunities aim to connect young innovators with mentors, support networks, and collaborators, enabling them to actively participate in Sierra Leone’s growing tech ecosystem.
