By 
By Osasome C.O and Nana Theresa Timothy
On the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Salima Monorma Bah, held a bilateral meeting with Sangbu Kim, World Bank Vice President for Digital, to advance cooperation on key areas of the country’s digital agenda.
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Focus on Digital Identity, Youth Empowerment, and Skills
Discussions centred on deepening collaboration in:
- Digital identity systems
- Youth employment and digital skills
- Digital devices for literacy programs
- Energy–digital integration
- Other national priority initiatives
Minister Bah reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to building systems that expand opportunity, empower youth, and strengthen resilience.
National Innovation and Digital Strategy (NIDS) at the Core
Sierra Leone’s digital transformation is guided by its National Innovation and Digital Strategy (NIDS) and the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project (SLDTP), a World Bank-supported initiative. Together, these frameworks aim to build an inclusive digital economy by focusing on identity, skills, and innovation.
A major milestone has been achieved in digital identity:
- Over 90% of the population is now enrolled in the central database with a National Identification Number (NIN).
- Each NIN is biometric-linked and required for citizens and legal residents to access critical services.
Tackling Youth Unemployment Through Digital Skills
Minister Bah stressed that addressing high youth unemployment remains a national priority. The government is investing in demand-driven training and entrepreneurial support to prepare young people for digital jobs.
The SLDTP includes a strong focus on:
- Digital Skills Development and Innovation: equipping youth with marketable digital competencies.
- Targets: Certifying at least 300 youth in foundational-to-advanced digital skills by 2027.
- Impact: Tracking the number of youth who secure new income opportunities through a digital jobs pilot.
Strengthening World Bank Partnership
Sierra Leone acknowledged the World Bank’s pivotal role in driving its digital transformation agenda and expressed strong commitment to scaling initiatives that promote innovation, inclusivity, and resilience.
