Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Salima Monorma Bah, joined leaders from across the continent at the Cotonou Digital Summit 2025, held on November 17–18 in Benin. The summit brought together government, industry and civil society to discuss Africa’s digital future, with a focus on closing the usage gap, expanding AI opportunities, and advancing the single digital market for West and Central Africa. These conversations are central to the region’s push for a more inclusive and connected digital economy, and the minister was an active part of them.
During a high-level panel on “Creating More Digital Jobs in West and Central Africa through Accelerated Digitalization and the Single Digital Market,” Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Salima Monorma Bah, spoke about the need for digital transformation to be guided by clear national goals and backed by practical reforms.
“Every country must define what it wants to achieve through digital transformation. What are our goals, our strategy, what are we hoping to achieve? Legal and regulatory reforms must not exist in isolation; they must be tied to a clear goal which includes growing digital entrepreneurs and empowering digital workers.”– Minister Salima Monorma Bah
Her message built on Sierra Leone’s national focus on inclusive digital development, which includes reforms in digital public infrastructure, emerging technology, and digital skills for young people.
Minister Bah also presented the Cotonou Declaration 2025 on behalf of ministers from West and Central Africa. The declaration outlines plans to:
- Build a single African digital market by 2030 founded on connectivity, trust, innovation, and ethical AI
- Expand broadband and digital public infrastructure
- Scale digital and AI skills for millions of youths and women
- Promote African innovation and data sovereignty
- Mobilize public–private partnerships to drive job creation and inclusion.
The declaration is a chance for countries in the region to move in the same direction on digital growth and jobs. For Sierra Leone, it shows we are not just taking part, but helping lead the conversation.
To learn more about the Cotonou Digital Summit and the 2025 declaration, visit: https://www.worldbank.org/en/events/2025/11/17/high-level-summit-on-digital-transformation-in-western-and-central-africa
