By Ragan M. Conteh

During the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press briefing at the Miatta Conference Hall, Youyi Building in Freetown on Tuesday 10 June, 2025, Sierra Leone marked a major milestone in its journey toward digital transformation.

Minister of Communication, Technology, and Innovation, Salima Monorma Bah, officially announced the successful launch of West Africa’s first open-access 5G network. The announcement, delivered during the 2025 Sierra Leone Innovate Digital Government Summit at the Bintumani Conference Center, signaled the government’s commitment to building a more connected, innovative, and inclusive digital economy.

The open-access 5G network, available to all mobile operators in the country, is expected to improve internet speed, expand digital services, and create new economic opportunities for citizens and businesses alike.

In her address, Minister Bah also introduced the EduCube-a bold initiative designed to advance digital literacy and inclusion in remote and underserved areas of Sierra Leone. The EduCube is a 20-foot, solar-powered mobile digital classroom equipped with computers, high-speed internet access, air conditioning, and printers.

These mobile units will bring education and training directly to communities that lack traditional infrastructure, empowering citizens with essential digital skills and fostering lifelong learning opportunities. The EduCube reflects the government’s strategic focus on human capital development and the equitable spread of digital resources.

Minister Bah further highlighted the success of the 2025 Big 5 Innovation Investment Challenge, part of the prestigious President Bio Innovation Award program. The challenge offers up to NLe 1.8 million in seed funding to support pioneering local entrepreneurs tackling pressing national challenges.

This year’s grand prize went to Mohamed Samu, whose innovative insect-based organic fertilizer converts waste into high-protein animal feed, providing sustainable solutions for agriculture and waste management.

Samu received a $30,000 grand prize to help scale his venture. These groundbreaking initiatives reinforce Sierra Leone’s position as a rising leader in digital innovation, driven by visionary leadership and a commitment to inclusive growth.