By: Precious Miracle Kargbo Snr.
The Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Madam Salima M. Bah, officially opened Freetown Innovation Week 2026, reaffirming the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to building a resilient digital economy driven by innovation, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister Bah outlined several policy and legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening Sierra Leone’s startup ecosystem and creating new opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology-driven businesses.
She highlighted the enactment of the Startup Act as a landmark achievement in establishing an enabling environment for startups, investors, and young innovators. The Minister also emphasized ongoing efforts to enhance the country’s readiness for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and implement entrepreneurship policy reforms designed to position Sierra Leone to benefit from the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“From the Startup Act to advancing AI readiness and implementing entrepreneurship policy reforms, we are laying the foundation for a stronger, more inclusive, and globally competitive technology ecosystem in Sierra Leone,” Minister Bah stated.
Freetown Innovation Week 2026 has brought together startup founders, software developers, investors, policymakers, academics, and development partners for a week of panel discussions, exhibitions, workshops, and networking sessions. The event is expected to showcase homegrown innovations while fostering strategic partnerships that can help Sierra Leonean startups expand beyond national borders and compete in regional and global markets.
Minister Bah commended the organizers, including FSG Third and Innovation SL, along with other partners supporting the innovation ecosystem, for their dedication to promoting technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation across the country. She noted that strong collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, academia, and civil society remains essential to unlocking opportunities for youth-led enterprises and accelerating economic growth.
The Minister further emphasized that the government’s digital transformation agenda will continue to prioritize investments in digital infrastructure, technology skills development, innovation-friendly policies, and access to finance as critical pillars for startup growth and sustainability.
With Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies rapidly transforming industries around the world, she encouraged Sierra Leonean innovators and entrepreneurs to seize the opportunities presented by the digital age and develop solutions that address local challenges while creating economic value.
As Freetown Innovation Week 2026 continues, stakeholders remain optimistic that the ideas, collaborations, and partnerships emerging from the event will translate into increased investment, job creation, technological advancement, and sustainable growth for Sierra Leone’s digital economy.