• The Assessment is conducted in partnership with the World Bank under the $50M SLDTP.

• The study checks Compute, Capacity, and Context, amid 8.66M mobile connections but only 1.8M internet users (~21%).

• Since October 2023, SLDTP has connected 50 government MDAs, improving broadband, skills, and public service delivery.

The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation, has launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Readiness Assessment. The initiative, announced on October 12, is conducted in partnership with the World Bank under the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project (SLDTP).

“We are not asking how to fit AI into our systems; we are asking which national challenges AI can help us solve today,” said Minister Salima Bah.

The study aims to evaluate Sierra Leone’s preparedness to adopt AI responsibly and effectively, while providing a roadmap for the country’s forthcoming National AI Strategy. The Ministry and World Bank team convened in Freetown to present initial findings and host stakeholder consultations with government, academia, civil society, and the private sector.

The assessment is examining three critical pillars — Compute (infrastructure), Capacity (skills and talent), and Context (policy and regulation) — while collecting insights on digital infrastructure, local data availability, human expertise, and the regulatory environment. These findings will serve as the evidence base for policies that ensure AI adoption is inclusive, ethical, and aligned with national development priorities.

The initiative comes at a time when Sierra Leone’s digital ecosystem is growing but still faces structural challenges. The country counts about 8.66 million mobile connections, nearly matching its population (8.73 million), yet only 1.8 million people (≈ 20.7%) use the internet.  This digital divide underscores the importance of aligning AI deployment with real-world access constraints.

Regionally, Sierra Leone’s initiative aligns with growing efforts across Africa to harness AI for national development. Ghana adopted a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2023–2033) focused on AI education, data governance, applied research, and public sector adoption. Kenya also launched its National AI Strategy (2025–2030), emphasising infrastructure, inclusive AI, and governance.

By conducting a structured readiness assessment early, Sierra Leone places itself among the vanguards in West Africa in responsible AI planning. If successful, the moves could help attract investment, strengthen local capacity, and accelerate AI-enabled innovation in sectors like health, agriculture, education, and public services.

The Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project (SLDTP), backed by a $50 million World Bank investment, aims to expand broadband coverage, strengthen digital skills, and modernize government services, creating a foundation for AI-driven inclusive growth. Since October 2023, the project has provided reliable internet connectivity to 50 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), marking a significant step in improving communication, efficiency, and the delivery of digital public services.

Hikmatu Bilali