In 2014, the Sierra Leonean government tried to get support from the World Bank for the implementation of its digital transformation project, but the process was unsuccessful because the international financial institution blamed Freetown for poor resource management.
In Sierra Leone, the Minister of ICT Mohamed Rahman Swarray recently announced that the World Bank would support the country's 5-year digital transformation project with US$50 million. According to the official, the project will notably guarantee access to broadband connection and improve digital skills and digital government services.
"Digital transformation in government involves the utilization of innovative technologies in order to deliver more transparent, cost-effective, and customer-focused services to citizens at both national and local levels," the government official said.
The digital transformation project is in line with the government's ambition to digitally connect all Sierra Leoneans. It has become a crucial project for the government as digital transformation continues to accelerate on the continent since 2020, due notably to Covid-19. The Sierra Leonean government recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnamese digital solutions provider FPT to benefit from its expertise. It is also working with Smart Africa to digitize its economy.
Digital transformation is expected to contribute to the development of every sector of the Sierra Leonean economy, facilitating economic growth, job creation, skills development, and the development of new business opportunities. According to the International Telecommunication Union, a 10% increase in mobile broadband Internet penetration in Africa would result in an average increase of 2.5% in GDP/capita.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
• Investors seem to keep focusing on yields, which are high for the moment• New Leadership might see...
• ECOWAS Bank funds 47.7-km stretch of strategic 700-km road project• Lagos-Calabar highway seen boo...
• Algeria grants commercial 5G licenses to top three telecom operators: Mobilis, Djezzy, and Ooredoo...
• IFC teams up with AfDB and Nigeria’s EbonyLife to assess a new fund for African cinema• Sector cou...
• Global coffee consumption projected to hit a record 169.4 million 60-kg bags in 2025/2026, up from...
• Ghana signs a deal with eLearning Africa to expand digital learning access across the country.• The partnership focuses on deploying modern digital...
Ghana launches the Oncology Nurse Leadership Program (ONLEP) to train specialized oncology nurses from seven African countries. The five-year...
Ivanhoe Mines signs deal covering 100% of Kamoa-Kakula smelter’s copper output. The smelter will process up to 500,000 tonnes annually, starting at...
African gas projects drive significant contracts for Asian shipbuilders, especially for Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) units. South Korean...
Kolmanskop offers a haunting blend of lost wealth, colonial history, and the unstoppable force of nature. Located just a few kilometers inland from...
Located about 40 kilometers from Cape Town’s city center, Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town is one of the Cape Peninsula’s most iconic destinations. This...