Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, in partnership with the National Youth Commission (NaYCom), has certified 70 young women as digital professionals under the Women’s Digital Centre programme, marking another milestone in efforts to bridge the gender digital divide and strengthen Sierra Leone’s growing digital economy.
The graduation ceremony, held on Friday, 13 February 2026, at the Orange Digital Centre in Freetown, attracted senior Government officials, corporate executives, development partners and proud family members who gathered to celebrate the fifth cohort of the six-month training initiative.
Speaking at the event, Director of the Orange Foundation, Annie Wonnie Katta, disclosed that since the programme’s launch in 2021, more than 700 women have been trained across Freetown, Bo and Kenema. She noted that over 600 graduates are already transitioning into the workforce, equipped with practical digital and entrepreneurial skills.
According to her, participants underwent intensive training in computer applications, internet fundamentals, digital marketing, entrepreneurship, business management and online brand development. She further explained that recent advanced cohorts have expanded into specialized areas such as web development, 3D design, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Aïcha Touré, emphasized the urgency of expanding digital inclusion, pointing out that only 5.7 percent of women in Sierra Leone are online compared to 11.4 percent of men. She described the graduating class as clear evidence that deliberate investment in women’s digital capacity can drive inclusive economic growth and reposition women as creators and innovators in the technology space.
Minister of Youth, Ibrahim Sannoh, reaffirmed Government’s commitment to youth empowerment and digital transformation. He announced plans to pursue formal accreditation of the programme through the National Council for Technical, Vocational and Academic Awards, a move aimed at strengthening the credibility and national recognition of the certification. The Minister also encouraged the graduates to establish digital enterprises, promising ministerial recognition for outstanding early-stage innovators.
Commissioner of the National Youth Commission, Joseph Maada Lahai, stated that the initiative aligns with the objectives of the country’s Mid-Term National Development Plan, which prioritizes technology, innovation and human capital development. He pledged continued institutional support through mentorship programmes, internship opportunities, market access and financing pathways for beneficiaries.
Education sector representatives also highlighted ongoing reforms, including the establishment of technical universities offering Bachelor of Science degrees in technical disciplines, the development of a national cybersecurity curriculum and the introduction of Sierra Leone’s first micro-credential framework to formally recognize short-course certifications.
Graduates and alumni shared testimonials of personal transformation, citing improved employability, increased income opportunities and enhanced community impact as key outcomes of the programme.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the cohort, student representative, Judith Ansu, described the Digital Centre as “a gateway for ambition, confidence and leadership,” underscoring its role in advancing gender equality and national development.
With collaboration between Orange Foundation and Government partners continuing to deepen, stakeholders say the Women’s Digital Centre initiative is emerging as a scalable model for closing the gender digital gap and building a more inclusive, innovation-driven future for Sierra Leone.
