By: Aminata Sesay
Nigeria and Sierra Leone are moving closer to establishing West Africa’s first seamless digital payment corridor following a high-level bilateral digital mission held in Freetown. The two-day engagement focused on unlocking cross-border trade through interoperable digital payments, improved financial governance, and harmonized digital identity systems.
The mission was convened by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation. It brought together ministers, regulators, fintech leaders, banks, telecom operators, and investors to explore a unified approach to digital commerce between the two nations.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Sierra Leone’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Stevenson Kamanda, emphasized the role of digital finance in boosting regional trade and supporting small businesses. Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy, Executive Director of the National Investment Board, and Hon. Alpha Ibrahim Sesay, Minister of Trade and Industry, highlighted the economic benefits of a predictable and interoperable regional payments system.
A key focus of the sessions was strengthening digital trade and cross-border payment interoperability. Delegates explored the creation of a Nigeria-Sierra Leone payment corridor to enable merchants, SMEs, and consumers to send and receive money digitally with lower fees, faster settlements, and enhanced transparency.
Specific areas of discussion included harmonizing Digital KYC systems to simplify onboarding for citizens and businesses across both markets. Strengthening financial interoperability among banks, mobile money operators, and fintech platforms. Supporting QR-based transactions and other low-cost payment tools to expand access for informal and rural traders. Co-developing policies to safeguard data protection, consumer rights, and cybersecurity as digital transactions scale
Delegates also toured major innovation hubs in Freetown, including Vult (Metro Cable Group), a leader in QR-based payments, gaining practical insights for potential cross-border payment pilots between Nigerian and Sierra Leonean fintech platforms.
The mission concluded with the signing of the Nigeria-Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Cooperation Framework, a formal agreement outlining joint commitments in digital payments, data exchange, and digital public infrastructure. Both countries endorsed a 30-90-365 Day Action Plan to achieve quick wins, including initial steps toward implementing the payment corridor.
A joint working group will oversee progress and publish an annual report to track milestones, challenges, and opportunities.
With this partnership, Nigeria and Sierra Leone are positioning themselves at the forefront of West Africa’s digital commerce landscape. The establishment of a cross-border payment ecosystem is expected to boost regional trade, support SMEs, expand financial inclusion, and accelerate economic growth for millions of citizens.