Sierra Leone is taking on bold initiatives to bolster its human capital development, particularly focusing on providing quality education for all in alignment with Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals. These initiatives are part of the government’s “Big Five” agenda for human capital development and job creation, aiming to equip its workforce with inclusive skills to meet the demands of the 21st-century job market.
In response to the rise of artificial intelligence, digital marketing, and cyber security threats, the small West African country recognizes the urgency of equipping its population of approximately 8 million with relevant skills to participate in the ongoing 5th Industrial Revolution.
In April this year, the Sierra Leone ICT Talent Development Program was launched to provide digital skills in cyber security and digital marketing to students and university graduates. The pilot phase successfully targeted 50 graduates, who will subsequently cascade the training to school children in eight selected districts across the country.
To date, over 3,500 students from 61 secondary schools nationwide have completed the digital skills training, positioning them for the job market after high school. The Ministry of Communications, Technology and Innovation (MoCTI) led the training, partnering with Huawei Sierra Leone, UNICEF, and telecom giant Orange.
Communications Minister Salima Mornorma Bah emphasised the program’s alignment with two critical pillars of the government’s “Big Five” agenda: human capital development and job creation, while Orange CEO Sekou Amadou Bah acknowledged the vital role of technology in shaping the modern world, expressing his company’s enthusiasm for collaborating on the training initiative.
Huawei’s General Manager Dash Qiu highlighted the technology group’s commitment to ensuring inclusive participation in the digital transformation process, viewing technology as a transformative force for economic growth and social progress. He expressed pride in Huawei’s contribution to Sierra Leone’s digital transformation and anticipated the trained youth becoming driving forces of innovation in their communities.
