Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sierra Leone’s Digital Economy Bilateral Trade Mission to deepen cooperation across public digital infrastructure
The Special Adviser, Media and Communications to the minister, Isime Esene made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Esene said that the MoU would also cover digital trade, cybersecurity, youth innovation and technology transfer.
He said that it would establish structured cooperation on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), AI and emerging technologies, talent development and digital skills and broadband infrastructure and spectrum collaboration.
According to Esene, the MoU was signed at a two-day Regional Summit on Digital Transformation in Benin Republic to reinforce Nigeria’s proactive leadership in shaping West Africa’s digital future.
He said that the mission featured ecosystem hub tours, press engagements, technical sessions, and Government-to-Government deliberations hosted by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Salima Bah.
“The mission’s emphasis on private-sector collaboration was further demonstrated by the participation of leading Nigerian technology companies, including IHS Towers, Flutterwave, CcHUB, Miden, Cybervergent.
“Others are Prunedge, Itana, and Awarri, whose presence highlighted Nigeria’s depth of innovation capacity and commitment to fostering regional investment flows.
“These companies engaged Sierra Leonean counterparts in structured B2B matchmaking sessions designed to stimulate cross-border partnerships, digital infrastructure development and knowledge exchange,” he said
Esene said that discussions focused on digital trade coordination, cybersecurity collaboration, skills development and AI development, reflecting the shared ambition of both nations to accelerate regional digital integration.
He said that both countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening regional integration, expanding digital infrastructure, and building a more innovative, resilient, and inclusive West African economy.
“Specific highlights of the discussions include digital public infrastructure and interoperable government systems, broadband expansion and resilient connectivity, digital identity, cybersecurity, and data governance.
Others are AI development and responsible innovation, digital literacy, talent development and institutional capacity building, cross-border digital trade and private-sector partnerships accordingly.
He said that companies from both countries also signed multiple partnership MoUs aimed at expanding digital services across markets.
In his remarks, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani said that Nigeria remained fully committed to enabling a more harmonised, secure, and innovative digital region.
Tijani described the partnership to be part of a broader vision to ensure that technology, talent, and trade flow seamlessly across the continent.
“Together, we are laying the foundations for a digital economy that empowers our young people and creates shared prosperity,”he said.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, welcomed the cooperation, highlighting its potential to accelerate Sierra Leone’s digital transformation.
She stressed the need for both countries to build of their relationship and shared history towards accelerating the continent’s digital economy.
ThemomentNG reports that the Nigerian delegation led by Tijani include Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone (GBB) Limited, Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju.
Others are National Coordinator, National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), Dr Olubunmi Ajala, and National Coordinator, Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), Victoria Fabunmi.
