Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in June 2026 between the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation (MoCTI), Bhutan National Digital Identity (Bhutan NDI), and the SIGN Foundation, Sierra Leone has convened a national Public-Private Sector Dialogue Forum to begin translating that partnership into action.
The dialogue brought together representatives from government, the private sector, financial institutions, academia, civil society, and development partners to shape the country’s approach to Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), with a particular focus on trusted digital identity.
The partnership seeks to support the development of a national digital identity ecosystem built on open-source technology, verifiable credentials, and international standards for privacy, security, and data sovereignty. It also aims to strengthen the digital foundations that will enable citizens to access services more easily, businesses to innovate with confidence, and government institutions to deliver services more efficiently.
Discussions during the forum centred on the three core building blocks of Digital Public Infrastructure:
1. Trusted digital identity
2. Secure and efficient digital payments
3. Interoperable data exchange
As Sierra Leone continues its digital transformation journey, this dialogue is the beginning of a coordinated national effort to develop the policies, governance frameworks, and technical foundations required for a trusted, secure, and inclusive digital identity ecosystem.
