Directorate of Innovation
Overview
The Directorate of Innovation is a core arm of the Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation (MoCTI). It is mandated to develop a forward-looking, inclusive, and sustainable national innovation ecosystem that drives economic growth, improves governance, and enhances social development.
The directorate’s work focuses on applying innovation to address national challenges, improve public service delivery, and support Sierra Leone’s transformation into a knowledge-driven, technology-enabled economy.
While the Directorate of Technology provides digital tools and infrastructure, the Directorate of Innovation ensures these tools are strategically applied to create solutions that improve lives and promote national development.
Core Mandate
The Directorate of Innovation leads and coordinates national efforts to advance innovation across all sectors. It supports the creation of scalable and sustainable solutions that align with the country’s development priorities. Innovation is pursued through multiple dimensions, technology, policy, governance, systems improvement, and service delivery.
Strategic Objectives
Strengthen National Digital Innovation Policy and Governance
Develop and implement national innovation policies and frameworks that promote coordination, inclusivity, and long-term growth.
Develop a Skilled, Future-Ready Workforce
 Promote digital literacy, STEM education, and continuous learning to equip citizens, especially youth, with skills for a modern economy.
Empower Entrepreneurship and Startup Growth
 Support startups and entrepreneurs through financing, mentorship, incubation, and access to markets to stimulate economic growth.
Apply Innovation for Sustainable Development
Drive innovative solutions to address challenges in health, education, energy, agriculture, environment, and culture for inclusive national impact.
Build a Collaborative Innovation Ecosystem
Strengthen partnerships between government, academia, private sector, and civil society to promote research, knowledge exchange, and resource mobilization.
Functions and Responsibilities
Governance and Policy Innovation
- Develop and implement national innovation policies and strategies
- Establish guidelines and standards for innovation in public and private sectors
- Anticipate global trends to prepare Sierra Leone for emerging opportunities
- Encourage experimentation, pilot programs, and citizen engagement via open data
- Strengthen public-private partnerships to improve service delivery
Human Capital and Workforce Innovation
- Lead national digital literacy campaigns
- Strengthen STEM education and problem-solving skills
- Introduce innovation bootcamps and lifelong learning programs
- Partner with industries for internships and apprenticeships
- Support youth-driven innovation projects through mentorship and funding
- Introduce AI and robotics training in technical institutions
- Recognize informal and online learning achievements
Entrepreneurship & SME Innovation
- Support incubators, accelerators, and startup ecosystems
- Provide seed funding and microloans for innovative SMEs
- Organize national innovation challenges and hackathons
- Promote export strategies for local products
- Attract venture capital and angel investment
- Offer tax incentives for research and startups
- Develop innovation clusters and co-working spaces
Science, Research & Ecosystem Development
- Establish research hubs and innovation parks
- Facilitate technology transfer between academia and industry
- Create a national innovation fund
- Host international innovation summits
- Support intellectual property protection and recognition of innovators
- Develop community innovation hubs in underserved regions
- Develop innovation clusters and co-working spaces
Monitoring & Evaluation
- Define clear performance indicators to measure progress
- Conduct periodic evaluations and publish annual innovation reports
Relationship Between Innovation and Technology
The Directorate of Innovation and the Directorate of Technology operate collaboratively but with distinct roles:
Innovation is outcome-driven: focusing on creativity, human-centered design, and systemic transformation.
Technology is tool-driven: providing the platforms and systems that enable innovations to succeed.
2025 Activities and Priorities
Big 5 A.I. & Blockchain Hackathon
National program training emerging AI developers; ongoing until December 2025
Establishment of 16 Digital Learning Hubs
Supported by the World Bank one hub per district, equipped with laptops, solar power, high-speed internet
Digital Skills Training
Supported by the World Bank training 1,500 Sierra Leoneans (including women and PWDs) across the 16 hubs
Learn2Earn Pilot Program
Supported by UNICEF, training youth in remote work skills; launching November 2025
DPG Accelerator Lab
In partnership with UNICEF, helping startups develop open-source Digital Public Goods; launching November 2025
Over 3,000 participants, including national leaders
Trained 250 startups, invested $60,000 in three winners
Supported by UNICEF, one fully equipped Digital Learning hub was completed and donated to Lorenzo School Waterloo as an Educube pilot.
Supported by UNICEF Five meetups organized to promote open-source collaboration
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Impact Indicators
Beneficiaries reached, jobs created, gender and inclusion metrics, youth employment
Capacity Building & Training
Number of trainings, participants by gender, inclusion metrics
Innovation Infrastructure
Number of hubs, labs, co-working spaces established
Ecosystem Engagements
Stakeholder meetings, MoUs, partnerships
Youth & Startup Support
Number of startups and innovators supported or funded
Partnerships & Collaboration
Local and international partnerships
Policy & Governance
Policies drafted, validated, or approved (e.g. AI Strategy)
Innovation Events
Summits, hackathons, meetups, showcases, attendee numbers