Sierra Leone is investing $150 million in Tech City Hub to drive its digital future

By creating a hub that attracts regional entrepreneurs, governments can stimulate technological innovation across Africa and foster a collaborative ecosystem that benefits the entire region. The project will create numerous jobs and opportunities for skills development in technology, business process outsourcing and related areas. to the empowerment of the workforce and to economic stability.

Sierra Leone is spending $150 million on a state-of-the-art Tech City hub in Tikonko, Bo District, to transform the country into a digital innovation powerhouse. Announced at the Orange-sponsored Sierra Leone Innovates Tech Summit (June 11-13, 2024), the hub will provide facilities for incubating and accelerating programs, supporting start-ups’ transition from ideation to commercialization.

President Bio said: “The city will promote the development of new technologies, products and services that will serve as a catalyst for sustainable development, promote economic diversification and reduce the country’s over-dependence on traditional sectors..”

Located within a 130-hectare economic zone, the Tech City marks an important step in Sierra Leone’s digital transformation efforts. Minister of Technology Salima Bah, who is leading the project, sees the hub as a catalyst for the country’s technological progress.

Major telecom operators Africell and Orange Sierra Leone are supporting the project, with Africell planning to set up a data center on site, as confirmed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during the summit. The Ministry of Communications, Technology and Innovation today announced the signing of an MoU with Orange via their Facebook page. This agreement paves the way for the construction of the “Orange Village” community project within the Tech and Innovation City.

The Tech City is designed to generate jobs, with new opportunities in business process outsourcing and device assembly. This multi-faceted strategy aims to enhance Sierra Leone’s technological capabilities and solidify its role in West Africa’s innovation landscape.

The investment comes at a crucial time as African countries increasingly use digital solutions to drive economic and social progress. Sierra Leone’s bold move could set a precedent and demonstrate that smaller countries can have a significant impact on the digital scene.

The government has actively sought ways to stimulate economic development through the combined forces of entrepreneurship, innovation and technology. Initiatives include the Sierra Leone National Medium-Term Development Plan (2019-2023), the National Digital and Innovation Strategy and the establishment of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) development agencies.

A study by the African Development Bank (AfDB) shows that countries with diversified economies are more resilient to global economic shocks. Sierra Leone’s investment in Tech City supports this diversification, increases economic resilience and creates a sustainable growth model.

Hikmato Bilali