Nigeria, Sierra Leone Forge Digital Partnership To Boost Regional Innovation
By TOSI ORE & ANITA KNIGHT
NIGERIA and Sierra Leone have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in digital infrastructure, trade, and technology, the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy announced on Thursday.
The agreement, unveiled during a two-day Regional Summit on Digital Transformation in Benin Republic, aims to advance collaboration in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, broadband development, cybersecurity, youth innovation, and technology transfer. The summit included ecosystem hub tours, technical sessions, press engagements, and Government-to-Government deliberations hosted by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Salima Bah.
Highlighting the role of the private sector, leading Nigerian tech firms—including IHS Towers, Flutterwave, CcHUB, Miden, Cybervergent, Prunedge, Itana, and Awarri—participated in structured B2B sessions with Sierra Leonean counterparts to foster cross-border partnerships, expand digital services, and exchange knowledge. Multiple partnership MoUs were signed to enhance regional digital services.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, described the partnership as part of a broader vision to create a secure, harmonized, and innovative West African digital ecosystem. “Together, we are laying the foundations for a digital economy that empowers our young people and creates shared prosperity,” he said.
The MoU focuses on interoperable government systems, digital identity, data governance, responsible AI development, digital literacy, talent cultivation, and institutional capacity building. Both countries emphasized the importance of expanding digital infrastructure and fostering private-sector collaborations to accelerate regional digital integration.
Sierra Leone’s Minister Bah welcomed the agreement, noting its potential to fast-track her country’s digital transformation while reinforcing historical and economic ties with Nigeria.
The Nigerian delegation included key officials such as NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Galaxy Backbone Managing Director Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, NCAIR National Coordinator Dr. Olubunmi Ajala, and ONDI National Coordinator Victoria Fabunmi.
The MoU underscores a shared commitment to advancing a resilient, inclusive, and innovative digital economy in West Africa.
