By Kandeh Sesay
Since taking office in 2018, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has placed digital transformation at the heart of Sierra Leone’s development strategy, aiming to propel the nation into the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Under his leadership, significant strides have been made to integrate innovative solutions across various sectors, enhancing service delivery and boosting economic resilience.
Digital technology, innovation, and communication are now recognized as pivotal drivers of economic growth. They contribute significantly to GDP and foster job creation across critical sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism, and transportation.
In his first term, President Bio secured a $50 million investment from the World Bank to kickstart comprehensive digital transformation initiatives, led by the Ministry of Communication Technology and Innovation. A notable achievement was the establishment of the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI), which has pioneered impactful projects like the Giga project and a platform for result-checking, saving Sierra Leonean parents billions of Leone.
The government’s commitment to leveraging technology for economic development is reflected in the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024-2030 and the 2023 New Direction Manifesto’s “Big Five” game changers. Internet connectivity has expanded dramatically, rising from 800,000 users in 2018 to 1.84 million by 2023, according to data from Simeon Kemp’s DATAERPORTAL.
In healthcare, collaboration between DSTI and the Ministry of Health led to the development of the Pregnancy Registration and Service Tracking Application (PReSTrack). This innovation has significantly contributed to reducing Sierra Leone’s maternal mortality rate from 717 to 443 per 100,000 live births. As of June 2024, PReSTrack has registered 10,636 pregnant women and facilitated 1,114 antenatal care visits in the Western Area alone, including 60 referrals.
The Ministry of Communication Technology and Innovation recently hosted its inaugural Tech Summit, which attracted over 4,000 delegates from 15 countries. The summit featured the HE President Bio Innovation Challenge, aimed at fostering agricultural innovation with a $30,000 prize.
The entry of global satellite internet provider Starlink into Sierra Leone represents a significant milestone, enhancing access to high-speed internet and affirming investor confidence in the country’s tech sector.
In support of the Free Quality Education initiative, the Ministry collaborated with telecom companies to zero-rate 19 essential educational websites, providing free access to educational and research materials. This effort promotes digital literacy and brings government services closer to the populace.
Further advancing rural development, the Universal Access Development Fund launched the Rural Telephony Project in Moyamba, providing 3G mobile coverage over a 5km radius and equipping farming communities with essential mobile and internet infrastructure. Telecommunication giants Orange and Africell have achieved 100% 4G coverage across their sites, with plans to expand coverage further.
In financial technology (FinTech), Sierra Leone has made significant progress with the launch of products like Vult Wallet, aimed at promoting financial inclusion. Investments from companies such as Velmie and Metro Cable are enhancing the country’s FinTech ecosystem.
A key development in governance is the establishment of the GoSL Human Resource Hub, a platform created by the Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication Technology and Innovation. This hub streamlines government HR management processes, enhancing efficiency and organizational effectiveness.
Under President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s visionary leadership, Sierra Leone is undergoing a transformative journey driven by technological innovation. Despite challenges, the government’s strides in realizing its “Big Five” game changers position the country for sustainable growth and prosperity. As Sierra Leone embraces digital transformation, the future looks promising, with ongoing initiatives poised to further propel national development and enhance the quality of life for all citizens.
