Digital transformation is a top priority for Sierra Leone's authorities. The country received a $50 million World Bank grant for this purpose in January 2023.

Sierra Leone has launched several initiatives to enhance its cybersecurity, including establishing clear legal frameworks, increasing public awareness, and boosting local capabilities. These measures aim to support the country’s broader digital transformation goals.

Salima Bah, the Minister of Communication, Technology, and Innovation, highlighted these efforts during a panel at the World Digital Summit hosted by the World Bank last week. “These actions are aimed at creating a safer and more trustworthy digital environment for Sierra Leoneans while protecting critical digital infrastructure," the tech ministry said in a Facebook statement.

The initiatives come as the government sets its sights on connecting all Sierra Leoneans digitally. The aim is to use innovative technologies to provide more transparent, affordable, and user-centered digital services to citizens at both national and local levels. As a reminder, the country received a $50 million grant from the World Bank in January 2023 to implement its national digital transformation project. According to the United Nations’ 2024 E-Government Development Index, Sierra Leone scored 0.3042 out of 1, placing it below both the African average (0.4247) and the global average (0.6382).

However, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) emphasizes that robust cybersecurity is essential for countries to fully leverage the opportunities presented by information and communication technologies (ICT). In its 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index, the ITU ranked Sierra Leone in the third tier (Tier 3) out of five, indicating basic commitment to cybersecurity. The country scored relatively well for its legislative framework (17.29/20) and organizational measures (18.81/20), but it needs to increase efforts in technical measures (1.39/20), capacity building (6.95/20), and cooperation (12.02/20). Overall, Sierra Leone scored 56.46 out of 100.

To meet its digital transformation ambitions, the Sierra Leonean government will also need to invest in its digital infrastructure. In 2024, the United Nations rated the country’s telecom infrastructure with a score of 0.2585 out of 1, which remains a significant challenge for ensuring connectivity for government agencies, businesses, and citizens. For instance, according to the ITU, the internet penetration rate in Sierra Leone is currently just 30.4%.