By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation (MoCTI), in partnership with Huawei Sierra Leone, Orange Sierra Leone and UNICEF, has successfully completed the second edition of the Sierra Leone ICT Training Program. This initiative is designed to empower young graduates and secondary school students with essential digital skills, positioning them for success in the digital age.
The program concluded with a comprehensive web development and digital marketing exam, designed to assess participants’ progress. This year’s edition brought together two groups, divided into ten teams, guided by 50 trainers and five supervisors. Together, these teams are on track to deliver ICT training to 7,000 secondary school students across districts in the Eastern, Northern and North-Western regions of Sierra Leone.
In the Eastern region, the program reached eight schools in the Kailahun District. The Northern region saw training sessions conducted in 25 schools in Bombali, 20 in Tonkolili, 10 in Koinadugu and two in Falaba. Meanwhile, in the North-Western region, the initiative extended its efforts to 25 schools in Port Loko, 10 in Karene and eight in Kambia.
This extensive coverage demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that students in underserved areas gain access to vital digital education. By focusing on these regions, the program addresses educational disparities and promotes inclusivity in digital learning.
The training aligns closely with the Government of Sierra Leone’s “Big Five Game Changers,” particularly pillars two and three, which emphasize human capital development and youth employment. This initiative also directly supports His Excellency Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio’s vision of creating 500,000 job opportunities for youth while strengthening investments in human capital development.
By equipping students with practical ICT skills, this program is bridging the digital divide and preparing a new generation of digitally literate youth to meet the demands of an increasingly technological world.
The Sierra Leone ICT Training Program underscores its contribution to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) by fostering inclusive and equitable learning opportunities. Orange Sierra Leone and its partners have reaffirmed their commitment to driving Sierra Leone’s digital transformation, believing in the potential of these young learners to become catalysts for innovation and community development.
This collaborative effort highlights the transformative power of public-private partnerships in education. By leveraging technology as a tool for empowerment, the program not only enriches the lives of students but also contributes to economic growth.
Orange Sierra Leone and its partners expressed pride in playing a key role in Sierra Leone’s digital journey, emphasizing that the skills imparted during these sessions will empower students to thrive in a fast-evolving global landscape. As technology continues to reshape the future, initiatives like this one pave the way for a more inclusive and innovative Sierra Leone.
