21–22 November 2025
“Building a Resilient and Integrated Regional Digital Future”
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation of the Republic of Sierra Leone convened the Nigeria–Sierra Leone Digital Economy Bilateral Mission in Freetown, Sierra Leone, from 21–22 November 2025. The Mission brought together ministers, senior officials, regulators, development partners, private sector leaders, founders, investors and innovation ecosystem actors from both countries. The purpose was to deepen cooperation in digital transformation, innovation, Digital Public Infrastructure, Artificial Intelligence, digital trade, connectivity, cybersecurity and youth talent development.
Overview of the Mission
The bilateral mission brought together government leaders, regulators, technology experts, private sector institutions and innovation ecosystem actors from both countries, creating a structured platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, business engagement and the development of practical cooperation pathways. The focus was to deepen collaboration in digital payments, innovation, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, skills development, Artificial Intelligence and cross-border commerce, while exploring opportunities for interoperability, shared innovation programmes and joint market expansion. The broader intent is to build a connected West African digital corridor with Nigeria and Sierra Leone serving as anchor partners.
Day 1: High-Level Summit, Innovation Tour & MoU Signing
The Mission opened with remarks from Mr. Stevenson Kamanda, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation, followed by a welcome address from David Colin Ogoo, Founder of the Christex Foundation. Statements were also delivered by Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy, Executive Director of the National Investment Board, and Hon. Alpha Ibrahim Sesay, Minister of Trade and Industry.
Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, joined the host, Hon. Salima Monorma Bah, Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation of the Republic of Sierra Leone, in outlining a shared direction for stronger digital systems, deeper institutional cooperation and broader opportunities for citizens and businesses in both countries.
The Ministers later participated in a live interview on African Young Voices Television, where they outlined their priorities for regional digital integration and highlighted the importance of coordinated progress in key areas such as digital identity, payments, data governance and innovation.
Innovation Ecosystem Tour
The delegations visited four leading innovation and technology hubs:
Orange Digital Center (ODC) – A digital learning and innovation space offering coding, advanced technical training and startup incubation. Discussions examined talent development and opportunities for curriculum collaboration.
SkillsBridge – A skills and enterprise development hub preparing youth for the digital economy. Delegates observed live training labs and explored youth employability partnerships.
Vult (Metro Cable Group) – A digital payments platform supporting QR-based transactions and merchant services. Demonstrations highlighted the potential for cross-border payment interoperability.
Creative Hub Africa – A creative and digital innovation space supporting young entrepreneurs. Engagements focused on expanding creative economy programmes and collaborative training.
The day concluded with the signing of the Nigeria–Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Cooperation Framework, establishing a structured pathway for joint work on Digital Public Infrastructure, policy alignment, startup and innovation support, cross-border digital trade and youth talent exchange under the 3MTT programme.
Objectives of the Mission
- Strengthen digital trade and cross-border payments by advancing interoperability between financial systems, aligning digital KYC processes and enabling collaboration between Nigerian and Sierra Leonean fintechs.
- Advance AI localisation, data governance and emerging technologies through joint frameworks, shared datasets, sector pilots and coordinated talent development.
- Expand Digital Public Infrastructure and connectivity by exploring cross-border fibre, promoting GovCloud interoperability, strengthening data centre capacity and improving cybersecurity coordination.
- Support innovation ecosystems, startup policy and youth talent by creating joint accelerators, startup exchange tracks, investor linkages and stronger collaboration among hubs in both countries.
Day 2: Technical Sessions
Day 2 opened with a review of the previous day’s engagements and transitioned into four focused thematic discussions, each addressing a critical component of regional digital development.
Breakout Session Themes
The session on Digital Trade and Cross-Border Fintech and Payments examined how both countries can move toward interoperable financial systems. Discussions covered the development of a Nigeria–Sierra Leone payment corridor, alignment of digital KYC standards, closer coordination among regulators and deeper collaboration across banks, telecommunications operators, payment service providers and fintech companies to improve cross-border transactions.
The AI Localisation, Data and Emerging Technologies session focused on shared approaches to AI governance, the creation and annotation of datasets, talent exchange mechanisms and pilot projects in agriculture, health and education. The discussion explored how African-language AI models and responsible data practices can support national development priorities.
In the session on Digital Public Infrastructure and Connectivity, participants reviewed cross-border fibre connectivity options, opportunities for GovCloud interoperability, the role of shared data centres and the importance of coordinated cybersecurity incident response. The session emphasised the need for secure, scalable and reliable systems to support the region’s growing digital services.
The Innovation Ecosystem, Startup Policy and Youth Talent session explored new ways to strengthen collaboration between innovation hubs and institutions in both countries. Discussions covered a Nigeria–Sierra Leone startup exchange track, joint accelerators and hackathons, investor–startup matchmaking and co-creation programmes between leading innovation spaces to expand youth opportunities and support the growth of emerging companies.
Day 2 also featured the signing of two technical partnerships that deepen cooperation between both countries. The first focuses on market entry and cross-border interoperability, establishing collaboration between the National Information Technology Development Agency of Nigeria (NITDA), the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation of Sierra Leone (DSTI), Miden (Nigeria) and Monime (Sierra Leone) to advance payment corridors, digital identity alignment, card-issuing readiness and broader fintech integration between Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
The second formalises a partnership on Artificial Intelligence research, talent development and model localisation, bringing together the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation of Sierra Leone, the National Information Technology Development Agency of Nigeria, Awarri (Nigeria) and the Christex Foundation (Sierra Leone) to strengthen AI governance, dataset development, innovation testbeds and shared capacity-building programmes.
Participation
Nigeria’s Delegation
Representatives from the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, the National Information Technology Development Agency, the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Galaxy Backbone Limited, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and private-sector companies including Flutterwave, CcHUB, Awarri, Miden, Cybervergent, Wakanow and IHS Towers.
Sierra Leone’s Innovation and Digital Ecosystem
Organisations included Christex Foundation, Smart Systems SL Ltd, Monime Limited, SkillsBridge, Ezeepay Sl Ltd, Send Me, Mocha, Vult, SafulPay, The Community, Sierra Leone Postal Services (SALPOST), Big Bang World Incorporation, Online SL Limited, Kamara Yokie Innovation Center, Meraki Analytics, Startup Bodyshop, Meraki Analytics (SL) Limited, LEOGC LTD, Watu, MiKashBoks, Creative Hub Africa,
Strategic Outcomes
For Sierra Leone
- Faster deployment of Digital Public Infrastructure
- Stronger national capacity for AI and data governance
- Improved financial interoperability with Nigeria
- Expanded pathways for startups and investors
For Nigeria
- Market entry into the Mano River Union
- Stronger influence in regional digital cooperation
- Testing environments for Nigerian innovations
- Better alignment with ECOWAS digital policies
Shared Outcomes
- ECOWAS-aligned digital trade principles
- Roadmap for cross-border payment interoperability
- Shared cybersecurity and AI governance frameworks
- A joint youth talent pipeline under 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project
- A long-term implementation mechanism via a Joint Working Group
Implementation Framework
Both Ministries agreed to:
- Establish the Nigeria–Sierra Leone Digital Cooperation Working Group, comprising the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation, the National Information Technology Development Agency, the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation, the National Communications Authority, the National Civil Registration Authority and other relevant institutions.
- Adopt a 30–90–365 Day Action Plan focused on quick wins in payments and data exchange, pilot AI projects, policy alignment and joint talent mobilisation.
- Publish a Joint Annual Digital Cooperation Report capturing progress, challenges and areas for continued action.
Conclusion
The Nigeria–Sierra Leone Digital Economy Bilateral Mission marks a significant step toward closer regional cooperation and a more integrated digital landscape. Both governments recognise the role of digital transformation in economic resilience, youth development and inclusive growth. 99Nigeria and Sierra Leone have set out a clear direction for practical, long-term collaboration that supports an interoperable and future-ready digital economy for West Africa.
