ICT Officers in the Ministry’s Conference Room, 8th Floor, Youyi Building
The Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation (MoCTI) hosted a national validation workshop to review and refine Sierra Leone’s first Open-Source Software Policy for the public sector. More than fifty Information Communication and Technology officers, system administrators and digital practitioners joined the session at the Ministry’s Conference Room, 8th Floor, Youyi Building, Freetown.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Stevenson Kakpaetae Kamand
“By adopting open-source as the foundation for public sector technology, we are choosing solutions that are affordable, secure, and built for Sierra Leone’s long-term future. This policy sets the stage for digital services that are reliable, sustainable, and truly owned by the country.”— Mr. Stevenson Kakpaetae Kamanda, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation
The policy aims to make open-source software the default foundation for government digital systems. This shift shows a growing need for tools that are affordable, adaptable and built on standards that promote transparency, interoperability and long-term sustainability. For many MDAs, the move away from costly proprietary systems represents a chance to reduce expenses, avoid vendor lock-in and strengthen digital sovereignty.
Throughout the workshop, representatives from the different MDA’s examined the policy in detail and shared practical recommendations drawn from their daily work. They raised issues around procurement pathways, security considerations, capacity-building needs and the importance of common standards across government.
Cross Section of the ICT officers
The Director of Planning, Compliance and highlighted the importance of this policy in supporting the Government’s Big Five Game Changers, particularly the Technology & Infrastructure and Public Service Transformation pillars. By adopting open-source as a national standard, Sierra Leone positions itself to build solutions that are scalable, transparent and aligned with global Digital Public Goods (DPG) principles.
