Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation and Gearbox Pan African Network have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on initiatives fostering digital innovation, digital learning solutions, fostering manufacturing-led businesses, creating deep tech startups and hard tech startups, and promoting high-speed industrialization. A partnership solidified on December 11, 2023, aims to stimulate economic growth and address educational needs.
Key Areas of Collaboration:
- Co-design and co-development of digital learning solutions will be the focus of the collaboration.
- Prototyping and Testing: Both parties will collaborate on prototyping and testing various products and services, including smart utility metres, CNC machines, telecommunication information systems, digital learning solutions, embedded systems, hospital furniture, affordable housing products, and other equipment.
- Industrialization Promotion: The partnership aims to substitute imports by promoting the development of products and services locally, fostering industrialization in Sierra Leone.
- UniPod Catalyzation, Joint Research and Spinoffs: The Parties will support joint research projects, innovation pipeline building, and commercialization efforts within the Fourah Bay College UniPod (a component of the UNDP timbuktoo initiative) and other institutions within the Sierra Leonean national innovation system. This will include the nurturing of spinoff startups and SME’s from within the network
- Data Sharing and Mutual Support: Both parties pledge to share relevant data and mutually support each other’s projects and mandates where practical.
“By working together, we can leverage our expertise and resources to develop solutions that address the needs of our country and its people.”- Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Madam Salima Monorma Bah.
This MoU supports the ministry’s vision to create the enabling environment for Sierra Leone to be an innovative and Entrepreneurship hub for young people.
“This collaboration will enable us to combine our strengths and make a positive impact on the country’s economic and social development and we are excited to partner with MoCTI to drive digital innovation and industrialization in Sierra Leone,” said Dr. Kamau Gachigi, Executive Director of Gearbox Pan African Network.
