Orange Foundation Sierra Leone and ActionAid Sierra Leone have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Digital Inclusion Training Centre that will empower 150 persons with disabilities with practical digital skills, creating new opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and economic independence.
The agreement was signed on Monday, 29 June 2026, at the ActionAid Sierra Leone headquarters at Jubal Hill in Freetown, marking a significant milestone in the two organizations’ shared commitment to promoting digital and social inclusion across Sierra Leone.
The ceremony brought together senior officials from both institutions, representatives of government, disability advocacy organizations and development partners, all united by a common goal of ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind in the country’s digital transformation.
Among those in attendance were the Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Madam Aicha Toure; the Director of Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, Mrs. Annie Wonnie-Katta; the Country Director of ActionAid Sierra Leone, Mr. Foday-Bassie Swaray; representatives of the Ministry of Social Welfare; officials of the Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues (SLUDI); and other invited guests.
Delivering the declaration of purpose, Mrs. Annie Wonnie-Katta emphasized the importance of bridging the digital accessibility gap, noting that equal access to technology is essential for creating inclusive societies and expanding opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Foday-Bassie Swaray described the partnership as a practical investment in the future of persons with disabilities. He said digital skills have become indispensable in today’s world and that the initiative would equip beneficiaries with the knowledge and confidence needed to participate meaningfully in education, employment and business.
Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Madam Aicha Toure, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to using technology as a tool for social transformation. She said Orange Foundation remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that empower vulnerable communities and promote equal access to digital opportunities.
Representing the Government, Chief Commissioner Brima Abdulai Sheku of the Ministry of Social Welfare commended both organizations for championing disability inclusion. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to promoting equal opportunities and improving the welfare of persons with disabilities through collaborative partnerships.
The highlight of the ceremony was the official signing and exchange of the Memorandum of Understanding, symbolizing the beginning of a partnership aimed at reducing the digital divide and promoting greater accessibility for persons with disabilities across Sierra Leone.
Speaking on behalf of persons with disabilities, Joseph Alieu Kamara welcomed the initiative and expressed optimism that the Digital Inclusion Training Centre would transform lives by equipping beneficiaries with practical digital skills that would increase their independence and improve their economic prospects.
The Digital Inclusion Training Centre will provide digital literacy education, hands-on information technology training and access to assistive technologies tailored to the needs of persons with disabilities. The programme is designed to prepare participants for opportunities in the modern digital economy while enhancing their ability to access education, employment and entrepreneurial ventures.
The initiative aligns with Orange Foundation Sierra Leone’s vision of promoting digital and social inclusion and ActionAid Sierra Leone’s mission of supporting marginalized and vulnerable communities. By expanding access to technology and digital education, the partnership seeks to remove barriers that continue to limit the participation of persons with disabilities in national development.
Both organizations described the partnership as more than the establishment of a training centre, saying it represents a shared vision of building an inclusive society where technology empowers every individual, regardless of physical ability. Through the initiative, Orange Foundation Sierra Leone and ActionAid Sierra Leone aim to create sustainable opportunities, break barriers to digital access and contribute to a more equitable future for persons with disabilities in Sierra Leone.
