By: Mamajah Jalloh
Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, has called on global leaders to recognize education and artificial intelligence (AI) as strategic forces shaping geopolitical influence, economic competitiveness and national development in the 21st century.
He made the call on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, while delivering an address at Efekta HORIZONS 2026 in Athens, Greece, under the theme “Education is Geopolitics.”
Dr. Sengeh emphasized that the future prosperity of nations will increasingly depend on the quality of education their citizens receive and their ability to harness emerging technologies to improve learning outcomes and expand opportunities.
He said these priorities align with Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) and the Big Five Game Changers, particularly Pillar Four, which focuses on technology and infrastructure as drivers of innovation, digital transformation and improved service delivery.
Drawing on Sierra Leone’s experience, Dr. Sengeh highlighted the Government’s Free Quality School Education programme and Radical Inclusion policy as key initiatives aimed at expanding access to education and ensuring that every child, regardless of gender, background or circumstances, has the opportunity to learn and fulfill their potential.
He noted that the initiatives support inclusive human capital development and help prepare young people for an increasingly technology-driven economy.
Efekta HORIZONS 2026, the first international conference hosted by Efekta Education, brings together global leaders, policymakers, education experts and members of the organization’s Advisory Board and leadership team.
The conference examines three key areas shaping the future of education: reimagining learning for millions of students worldwide, exploring how agentic technologies can empower teachers and transform classrooms, and developing the skilled workforce needed to meet the demands of the global economy.
The discussions are relevant to Sierra Leone’s development priorities, as the effective use of technology and AI in education could help improve teaching and learning, expand access to educational resources and strengthen digital skills.
These objectives align with Pillar Four of the Big Five Game Changers and the broader goals of the MTNDP to advance human capital development, promote inclusive economic growth and create opportunities for young people.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Sengeh challenged global leaders to look beyond developing increasingly powerful AI systems and focus on how the technology can improve human welfare and unlock human potential.
He posed a question to the audience: “Which societies are most successful at using AI to make us more human?”