National Digital Development Strategy of Sierra Leone

January 2022

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Strategies and Action Plans

The ‘National Digital Development Strategy’ of Sierra Leone, outlines a comprehensive plan to leverage digital technologies to advance socioeconomic development nationwide. It emphasises the importance of infrastructure, skills development, governance, and cybersecurity in building a resilient and inclusive digital economy.

1. Introduction and Context

The strategy acknowledges the transformative potential of digital technologies in fostering socio-economic transformation and creating opportunities for all citizens. Sierra Leone aims to capitalise on the fourth industrial revolution by integrating digital tools across all sectors, which is critical for transitioning from a manually driven economy to a digital one. The strategy is embedded within the broader goals of Sierra Leone’s 2019-2023 Medium-Term National Development Plan, aiming for a diversified economy and middle-income status by 2039.

2. Governance, Coordination, and Partnerships

This section emphasises the importance of strong leadership, governance, and partnerships for building an enabling environment for digital development. It highlights the need for a streamlined institutional framework, coordination among various stakeholders, and alignment with international digital standards. The creation of the National Digital Development Agency (NDiDA) and the strengthening of NATCOM into the National Communication Authority (NCA) are key steps to improve coordination and regulatory oversight.

3. Digital Infrastructure and Access

A robust digital infrastructure is deemed essential for the delivery of digital services, including e-government, e-learning, and digital financial services. Key objectives include developing a national master plan for digital infrastructure, promoting infrastructure sharing, and improving universal access to digital services, particularly in underserved areas. The strategy also seeks to enhance the affordability of digital services and devices while addressing the environmental impact of digital development.

4. Digital Skills and Human Capital Development

The strategy identifies digital literacy and human capital development as critical drivers of Sierra Leone’s digital transformation. It outlines goals to:

Improve infrastructure for digital learning,
Foster capacity building within the education sector,
Mainstream ICT content across all education levels,
Promote inclusive digital learning, and
Develop a pool of ICT professionals through targeted training and certification programs.

The strategy also emphasises the importance of non-formal education channels and lifelong learning to ensure broad-based digital skills development.

5. Digital Government

This section focuses on the development of a digital government infrastructure to enhance public service delivery and governance. It includes the standardisation of technological processes, the implementation of a harmonised digital ID system, and the development of sector-specific digital strategies for areas such as health (e-health) and agriculture (e-agriculture). The ultimate goal is to improve government efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement through digital platforms.

6. E-Commerce and Digital Financial Services

The strategy recognises the potential of digital financial services and e-commerce to drive economic growth. It proposes to streamline regulations, ensure an interoperable and secure financial infrastructure, and promote competition and user adoption in these sectors. The creation of a robust e-commerce ecosystem is also highlighted as a priority.

7. Emerging Technologies, Innovation, and Digital Entrepreneurship

This section addresses the need to foster innovation and support digital entrepreneurship. The strategy aims to:

Enhance collaboration within the entrepreneurship ecosystem,
Develop supportive policies for digital innovation,
Improve access to capital for digital ventures, and
Build local ICT industries.

The strategy also encourages the adoption of emerging technologies to drive the digital economy.

8. Data Governance and Cybersecurity

To ensure the secure and ethical use of digital technologies, the strategy calls for the development of legal and regulatory frameworks on cybersecurity and data protection. It includes strengthening institutional leadership in cybersecurity, raising awareness, protecting critical digital assets, and enhancing the protection of personal data.

9. Implementation and Evaluation

The strategy outlines a robust implementation framework with clear roles and responsibilities for various stakeholders. It also emphasises the importance of monitoring and evaluation to ensure the successful execution of digital initiatives. The strategy calls for continuous assessment and adaptation to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities.