By: Precious Miracle Kargbo
On the second day of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, held a high-level bilateral meeting with Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, to strengthen ties and explore partnerships across key sectors, including education, energy, agriculture, and health.
During the meeting, Dr. Sengeh advocated for increased scholarship opportunities for Sierra Leonean youth, emphasizing that investment in human capital is essential for sustainable national development. He also extended an invitation to Minister IWAYA and his delegation to attend the upcoming Sierra Leone Investment Forum, showcasing the government’s commitment to attracting private sector investment to drive economic growth.
Later in the day, Dr. Sengeh participated in a panel discussion hosted by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), where he highlighted the pivotal role of young people in advancing industrialization across Africa. He presented Sierra Leone’s “regulatory sandbox” model, an innovative framework that enables startups and young entrepreneurs to test their ideas in a controlled environment. This model, already showing success in sectors such as education and finance, encourages innovation while ensuring policy alignment.
Dr. Sengeh also stressed the importance of digitization for enhancing trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He argued that tackling non-tariff barriers requires African countries to adopt digital tools that streamline trade and foster deeper regional integration.
Throughout the day, Dr. Sengeh held strategic discussions with influential global leaders, including the World Bank’s Vice President for West Africa and the new head of the African Development Bank (AfDB). These meetings reaffirmed a shared vision of youth inclusion in governance and economic planning. “We need more young people in the room and at the table,” he emphasized, calling for stronger youth representation in leadership spaces.
A personal highlight of the day was a lunch with Ghanaian entrepreneur and fellow Harvard alumnus Sangu Delle, celebrating a 20-year friendship that began when both received their acceptance letters to Harvard. Their reunion served as a powerful reminder of the long-term impact of education, connection, and vision.
As TICAD 9 continues, Dr. Sengeh plans to share key takeaways, focusing on the urgent need to empower youth. With around 70% of Sierra Leone’s population under the age of 35, he underscored the critical importance of harnessing this demographic dividend.
“Japan has about 33% of its population as young; we have the opposite concern. This demographic dividend has to pay” he declared, reaffirming his unwavering commitment to the future of Sierra Leone and Africa through youth empowerment, innovation, and inclusive development.
