Nigeria and Sierra Leone have concluded a high-level bilateral meeting in Freetown focused on deepening collaboration in digital economy development, technological innovation, and cross-border commerce. The engagement brought together senior government officials led by Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Salimah Bah, along with key private-sector stakeholders.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to advancing regional integration and building a more inclusive, resilient, and innovation-driven West African economy. Discussions centered on expanding cooperation in areas such as digital public infrastructure, interoperable government systems, broadband access, cybersecurity, digital identity, artificial intelligence, data governance, digital literacy, and cross-border digital trade.
Highlights of the meeting
A key highlight of the meeting was the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), establishing structured collaboration on digital public infrastructure, AI and emerging technologies, talent development, digital skills, broadband expansion, and spectrum management. Private-sector actors from both nations also formalized new partnerships aimed at growing digital services, strengthening fintech, edtech, healthtech, govtech, and cloud solutions, fostering joint innovation initiatives, and supporting startup exchanges and enterprise growth. Both governments welcomed these agreements as an important step toward unlocking shared economic opportunities.
To ensure effective execution, Nigeria and Sierra Leone agreed to set up a Joint Technical Working Group to track progress, review ongoing programs, and propose future areas of cooperation. The group will submit periodic reports directly to both ministers.
A partnership leading to growth
Reasserting their shared vision, both governments emphasized that West Africa’s prosperity relies on deeper regional cooperation, freer movement of ideas, and stronger cross-border partnerships. They noted that the bonds connecting the region outweigh the borders that separate it and expressed confidence that a distributed innovation ecosystem will open new pathways for growth.
The engagement concluded with mutual appreciation for the constructive dialogue and partnership. Nigeria thanked Sierra Leone for its warm hospitality, while Sierra Leone commended Nigeria’s leadership in advancing digital transformation across the region.