The Ministry of Communications, Technology and Innovation, in collaboration with Huawei Technologies (SL) Limited, UNICEF and Orange Sierra Leone have successfully offered training to over 12,000 Secondary School students in Digital Marketing, Cyber Security and Protection and Web Development.
These trainings were conducted as part of the Sierra Leone ICT Talent Development Program, a joint initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide in Sierra Leone through investment in human capital development and the creation of employment opportunities for the youth.
“The Sierra Leone ICT Talent Development Program is a vital step towards fulfilling the government’s commitment to creating 5,000 jobs. By focusing on youth employment, human capital development, and strengthening our tech and infrastructure, we are equipping the next generation with the skills needed to drive Sierra Leone’s economic growth and technological advancement.”- Madam Salima Mornorma Bah, Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation.
In this year alone, 100 recent University graduates with backgrounds in Computer Science, Information Technology, and related fields were provided rigorous training in digital technologies such as Digital Marketing, Web Development, and Cybersecurity. These graduates were hired, trained and then certified to transfer their acquired knowledge to senior high school students and entrepreneurs nationwide.
Mr. Dash Qiu, General Manager of Huawei Sierra Leone reaffirmed Huawei’s commitment to driving digital transformation in the country. He said “Through this partnership, we are helping to equip Sierra Leone’s future workforce with critical skills that will not only benefit individuals but also contribute to the long-term growth and prosperity of the country.”
Mr. Sekou Amadou Bah, CEO of Orange SL also added that “These training can have a profound and lasting impact on our youths, shaping their career paths, enhancing their skills, and empowering them to become active contributors to society and the economy”.
In the pilot phase of the program, 3500+ students and 500 entrepreneurs were successfully trained from eight (8) districts across the country. The trainings were met with a high success rate and positive feedback from beneficiaries.
Building on this success, the recently concluded phase trained 9,636 students in eight districts: Kailahun, Bombali, Tonkolili, Koinadugu, Falaba, Port Loko, Kambia, and Karene. Among these students, 37.7% (3,633) were boys, and 62.3% (6,003) were girls. In total, this edition of the training reached 82 schools impacting 12,000+ students nationwide, further solidifying its impact on Sierra Leone’s education system.
In the long term, the program is expected to create a lasting impact on the technological landscape of Sierra Leone, ensuring that Sierra Leoneans are well-prepared to compete globally and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic growth and development.
