Side-event of the 80ᵗʰ UN General Assembly
Sierra Leone Innovation Showcase
- Friday 26th, September 2025
- 9:00 am to 11:00 am
- 600 3rd Avenue, New York NY 10016 - 34th Floor
Background
Under the leadership of His Excellency, the President Rtd. Brig. Dr. Julius Maada Bio, Sierra Leone, has firmly positioned innovation as central to its national development and economic transformation agenda. Since 2018, the Government has established landmark institutions such as the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI) and the Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation (MoCTI) to spearhead the country’s digital shift.
Guided by bold policy frameworks such as the National Innovation and Digital Strategy (NIDS) and the 2024–2030 Medium-Term National Development Plan, which highlights Technology as one of the “Big Five Game Changers,” the nation is building the foundations of an inclusive digital economy.
Significant progress is already visible: digital infrastructure is expanding, public-private partnerships are growing, and donor-backed innovation programmes are delivering measurable impact in health, education, agriculture, and governance. Building on the momentum of the 2025 Sierra Leone Innovates: Digital Government Summit, the Government is advancing the establishment of the Sierra Leone Innovation Investment Fund (SLIIF), a blended finance vehicle to mobilise capital, accelerate infrastructure, develop future-ready talent, and nurture a thriving startup ecosystem.
Purpose
The Sierra Leone Innovation Showcase, to be held on the sidelines of the 2025 United Nations General Assembly, will inaugurate a global expo series serving as a premier platform to highlight the nation’s digital transformation journey and present its agenda to accelerate innovation-driven growth through the Sierra Leone Innovation Investment Fund (SLIIF).
By convening government leaders, global private sector executives, and development partners, the Government aims to advance Sierra Leone’s innovation agenda by forming strategic partnerships, attracting investment, and strengthening international collaboration.
The Showcase will present Sierra Leone’s innovation ecosystem through three integrated perspectives.
- The Government will demonstrate the enabling policies, institutional reforms, and infrastructure investments that have established a strong foundation for a growing digital economy.
- The Private sector will highlight success stories, scalable innovations, and emerging market opportunities.
- Development Partners will present catalytic investments, technical expertise, and collaborative initiatives that have delivered measurable impact.
The Convener
Salima Monorma Bah
Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation
UNGA Agenda
08:30 AM – 09:00 AM
Arrival
09:00 AM – 09:05 AM - Welcome Address
Nicky Spencer-Coker, Spokesperson
Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone-UN
09:05 AM – 09:15 AM - Statement
Shaping the Future of Sierra Leone through Innovation
Introducing the Sierra Leone Innovation Investment Fund (SLIIF)
Salima Bah, Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation
09:15 AM – 09:25 AM - Statement
Hyea Won Lee
Digital Development Specialist, World Bank
09:25 AM – 09:55 AM - Panel Discussion
The Role of Private Sector and Development Partners in Building a Digital Future
- Shadi Al-Gerjawi - CEO, Africell SL
- Oswald Osaretin Guobadia - Managing Partner, DigitA
- Mathias Esmann - Director of Partnerships, AI for Education
- Nicky Spencer-Coker, Spokesperson- Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone-UN (Moderator)
09:55 AM – 10:05 AM - Statement
Collaborating to Build Resilient Innovation Ecosystem
Christopher Szymczak,
Digital Public Goods Lead, Office of Innovation, UNICEF
10:05 AM – 10:20 AM - Keynote
Keynote Address
Dr. David Sengeh, Chief Minister of the Republic of Sierra Leone
10:20 AM – 10:50 AM - Panel Discussion
Driving Sustainable Development through Digital Transformation
- Alpha Sesay - Attorney General, Minister of Justice
- Chernor Bah - Minister, Ministry of Information and Civic Education
- Ibrahim Sannoh - Minister, Ministry of Youth Affairs
- Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie - Minister, Ministry of Technical and Higher Education
- Salima Bah - Minister, Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation
- Joel Ogunsola, Prunedge (Moderator)
10:50 AM – 11:00 AM - Statement
From Global Roots to Local Impact: My Journey to Empower Startups and Drive Innovation in Sierra Leone
David Ogoo,.
Founder & Executive Director, Christex Foundation
11:00 AM – 11:05 AM - Closing Statement
Kumba Liliana Musa
Project Coordinator - Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project
Background
Under the leadership of His Excellency, the President Rtd. Brig. Dr. Julius Maada Bio, Sierra Leone, has firmly positioned innovation as central to its national development and economic transformation agenda. Since 2018, the Government has established landmark institutions such as the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI) and the Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation (MoCTI) to spearhead the country’s digital shift.
Guided by bold policy frameworks such as the National Innovation and Digital Strategy (NIDS) and the 2024–2030 Medium-Term National Development Plan, which highlights Technology as one of the “Big Five Game Changers,” the nation is building the foundations of an inclusive digital economy.
Significant progress is already visible: digital infrastructure is expanding, public-private partnerships are growing, and donor-backed innovation programmes are delivering measurable impact in health, education, agriculture, and governance. Building on the momentum of the 2025 Sierra Leone Innovates: Digital Government Summit, the Government is advancing the establishment of the Sierra Leone Innovation Investment Fund (SLIIF), a blended finance vehicle to mobilise capital, accelerate infrastructure, develop future-ready talent, and nurture a thriving startup ecosystem.
Purpose
The Sierra Leone Innovation Showcase, to be held on the sidelines of the 2025 United Nations General Assembly, will inaugurate a global expo series serving as a premier platform to highlight the nation’s digital transformation journey and present its agenda to accelerate innovation-driven growth through the Sierra Leone Innovation Investment Fund (SLIIF).
By convening government leaders, global private sector executives, and development partners, the Government aims to advance Sierra Leone’s innovation agenda by forming strategic partnerships, attracting investment, and strengthening international collaboration.
The Showcase will present Sierra Leone’s innovation ecosystem through three integrated perspectives.
- The Government will demonstrate the enabling policies, institutional reforms, and infrastructure investments that have established a strong foundation for a growing digital economy.
- The Private sector will highlight success stories, scalable innovations, and emerging market opportunities.
- Development Partners will present catalytic investments, technical expertise, and collaborative initiatives that have delivered measurable impact.