AGP Executive Report

Higher Education & Research Partnerships: Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh says Harvard University is deepening collaboration with Cabinet on health and education, including work linked to Seed Global’s Triple Zero Campaign and learning-outcome focus. Health Systems & Biomedical Capacity: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health sent a delegation to India to strengthen hospital equipment management, including factory testing discussions with Allengers Medical Systems. Waste & Circular Economy Training: Central University hosted a European delegation to develop a proposed Master’s programme in Waste Management and Circular Economy, covering curriculum, exchanges, and practical environmental solutions. Digital Governance & Public Trust: Sierra Leone hosted the 17th International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) with UNESCO, pushing stronger information integrity and access-to-information responses to misinformation. Cyber Safety: Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr warned her WhatsApp was hacked and her number is being used to solicit funds. Solar Waste Pilot: Sierra Leone is moving toward its first solar waste management pilot after Spain benchmarking on end-of-life panels and batteries. Education Funding Reform: Government plans to scrap per-pupil capitation grants for a cost-based model targeting real running costs and reducing headcount fraud. Food Security Youth Innovation: MAFS and MBSSE convened 16 pupils in Freetown to pitch research-backed solutions through the World Food Prize Youth Institute. Revenue Mobilisation: NRA Commissioner General Abu Martin Kanneh urged Customs staff to boost domestic revenue as he begins an internal tour.

Education Funding Reform: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Education says it will scrap the per-pupil capitation grant and move to a cost-based model that targets real school running costs, location needs, and structural requirements—aimed at cutting headcount fraud and protecting underfunded schools. Cybersecurity & Scams: Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr warns her WhatsApp was hacked and her number is being used to solicit money, urging residents to ignore any messages until a fresh statement. Information Integrity: Sierra Leone hosts the 17th International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) with UNESCO and the Right to Access Information Commission, focusing on access-to-information and tackling misinformation in the digital age. Renewables & Circular Economy: Sierra Leone moves toward its first solar waste management pilot after a Spain benchmarking mission on end-of-life solar panels, batteries, and producer-responsibility systems. Food Security Innovation: MAFS and MBSSE bring 16 pupils in Freetown to present ideas for improving food systems and agriculture through the Sierra Leone World Food Prize Youth Institute. Defence & Security Budget: The Defence Ministry seeks NLe7.59 billion for 2027, including recruitment/training, border guards, C5ISTAR and cybersecurity, and upgrades to military healthcare and barracks. Revenue Mobilisation: NRA Commissioner General Abu Martin Kanneh urges Customs to strengthen domestic revenue collection as he begins an internal tour. Tech for Energy Accountability: Tango Brook expands its digital fuel-management platform to deploy across Sierra Leone and other African markets to reduce fuel leakages and improve spending visibility. Global Health Watch: Coverage continues on Ebola research and outbreak response, including new reporting on experimental vaccine trials and ongoing cases in the DRC.

Information Integrity & Access to Knowledge: Sierra Leone hosted the 17th International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) in Lungi, bringing together regulators and stakeholders to tackle misinformation and strengthen public trust through better access to timely, credible information. Digital Safety for Children: At UNGA in New York, a Türkiye-organised panel urged stronger international standards to protect children from online risks as AI advances faster than safeguards. Cybersecurity Warning: Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr said her WhatsApp account was hacked and her number is being used to solicit money, urging the public to ignore messages until further notice. Solar Waste Planning: Sierra Leone moved toward its first solar waste management pilot after a Spain benchmarking mission on end-of-life panels and batteries, supported by UNOPS and the EU-funded SOGREA project. Ebola Response Tech & Trials: In the DRC, a Phase II trial of NV-387 oral gummies began patient enrollment for Ebola, while global reporting highlights the strain on health systems during the outbreak. Energy Tech for Accountability: Tango Brook expanded its digital fuel-management platform across Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, DRC and Zimbabwe to reduce fuel leakages and improve spending visibility. Higher Education Pressure: Sierra Leone’s university lecturers’ strike continues, with economic strain and rising transport costs cited as key drivers.

Defence Industry Watch: Russia showcased a broader defence-industrial push at Africa Aerospace & Defence 2026 in Pretoria, pitching full “lifecycle” support—platforms, weapons, spares, maintenance, training and possible local production—alongside major Rosoboronexport displays. Ebola & Health Systems: New documents and reporting keep spotlighting Ebola vaccine research risks, while a clinician returning from Congo described how limited surveillance and treatment capacity are still straining outbreak response. Information Integrity & Access: Sierra Leone’s VP Juldeh Jalloh opened the ICIC+IDUAI events in Lungi, calling for stronger international cooperation to expand reliable information access and improve information governance. Cyber Safety: Freetown Mayor Aki-Sawyerr warned her WhatsApp was hacked and her number is being used to solicit funds, urging residents to verify messages independently. Digital Sovereignty: Sierra Leone linked its digital sovereignty push to local control of digital public infrastructure, citing national digital ID coverage and scaling payment and data exchange systems. Solar Waste Pilot: Sierra Leone moved toward its first solar waste management pilot after a Spain benchmarking mission, aiming to operationalise rules for end-of-life panels and batteries. Higher Education Crisis: A nationwide strike by university academic staff has left classrooms silent, with lecturers citing rising living costs and stalled negotiations. Tech for Accountability: Tango Brook expanded its digital fuel-management platform across Sierra Leone and other African markets to cut fuel leakages and improve spending visibility.

Child Online Safety: A Türkiye-organised UN panel at UNGA 81 urged stronger international rules to protect children from online risks as AI advances faster than safeguards, with first ladies and officials warning children must not be “guinea pigs” for data-driven business models. AI for Justice: UNESCO highlighted how AI in justice can either widen or narrow access gaps, stressing that digital systems must improve knowledge and services without weakening core safeguards. Digital Sovereignty & DPI: Sierra Leone says its digital sovereignty push is moving from policy to delivery, citing a national digital ID covering 93% of people, a scaling payment switch, and a data exchange pilot in finance. Higher Education Tech: Sierra Leone’s higher education ministry outlined plans to expand AI-enabled learning through a World Bank-supported management system, plus support for lecturers’ digital skills. Health Tech Expansion: The health minister spotlighted advanced diagnostics, including a 128-slice CT scanner and mobile ultrasound for maternal care. Tourism Innovation: Sierra Leone’s tourism ministry soft-launched WAKABOT, an AI tourism chatbot and trip-planning tool, as part of World Tourism Day activities. Energy + Digital Economy: A UNGA roundtable linked electricity, telecoms, 5G and trade to accelerate Sierra Leone’s digital economy. Conservation Restart: Liberia relaunched the €4.7m Taï-Grebo-Krahn conservation project after a long suspension, refocusing on Grebo-Krahn National Park and community livelihoods. Public Info Integrity: SLAJ reaffirmed commitment to universal access to accurate information as Sierra Leone marked International Day for Universal Access to Information. Fuel Tech Growth: Tango Brook expanded its digital fuel-management platform across Sierra Leone and other African markets to cut leakages and improve spending visibility.

Fishing & Nutrition: An Oceana-led peer-reviewed study warns that bottom-trawling vessels remove nutrient-rich fish from West Africa, including Sierra Leone, and says fairer access deals could help millions meet key nutrient needs. Digital Child Safety: A UN panel hosted by Türkiye urged stronger international standards for safer digital systems for children, warning that fast AI advances must not treat kids as “guinea pigs.” Higher Education Tech: Sierra Leone’s higher education ministry says it will expand technology and responsible AI via a World Bank-supported Higher Education Management Information System with AI-assisted learning support. Health Tech Expansion: Health Minister Austin Demby highlights Sierra Leone’s diagnostic upgrades, including a 128-slice CT scanner and mobile ultrasound for maternal care, plus work on an integrated ambulance system. Tourism AI: The Tourism Ministry soft-launched WAKABOT, an AI tourism chatbot and trip-planning platform, to modernise how visitors discover Sierra Leone. Governance & Delivery: Sierra Leone ministers gained implementation-focused insights at a Columbia University executive seminar, pushing for measurable policy outcomes. Access to Information: On International Day for Universal Access to Information, UN-linked efforts focus on upholding information integrity in the digital age, with UNESCO set to hold a Sierra Leone conference. Pharmacy Modernisation: Sierra Leone’s pharmacy authorities stress digitising professional practice while tackling the continued sale of medicines through informal channels.

Higher Education Digital Reform: Sierra Leone’s Technical and Higher Education Minister says the higher education system will expand AI-enabled learning through a World Bank-backed Higher Education Management Information System, with AI academic support and stronger digital skills for lecturers. Health Services Upgrade: Health Minister Austin Demby highlights expanded diagnostics, including a 128-slice CT scanner at Connaught Public Hospital and mobile ultrasound for hard-to-reach communities, plus work on an integrated national ambulance system. Youth Jobs Push: Youth Minister Ibrahim Sannoh reaffirms a target of 500,000 sustainable jobs for young people, with programmes for 70,000+ youths via cash transfers, skills training and local-language practical training. Tourism Tech: The Tourism Ministry soft-launches WAKABOT, an AI tourism chatbot and trip-planning platform for World Tourism Day 2026. Digital Economy Link-Up: Sierra Leone convenes ministries and private partners at UNGA to connect energy, telecoms, data infrastructure and trade for digital growth. Pharmacy Modernisation: Pharmacy authorities flag ongoing informal medicine sales as they move to digitise and strengthen regulated pharmacy care.

Higher Education AI Push: Sierra Leone’s Minister of Technical and Higher Education Dr Haja Ramatulai Wurie says the World Bank-backed Higher Education Management Information System will roll out a Learning Management System with AI-assisted academic support, plus digital upskilling for lecturers and dialogue on tertiary staff concerns. Health Tech Expansion: Health Minister Dr Austin Demby highlights advanced diagnostics, including a 128-slice CT scanner at Connaught Public Hospital and mobile ultrasound for maternal care, alongside plans for an integrated national ambulance system. Youth Jobs Drive: Youth Minister Ibrahim Sannoh reiterates the 500,000 sustainable jobs target, with new programmes for 70,000+ youths via cash transfers, skills training and employment in agriculture, climate, tech and entrepreneurship. Open Information Act Pressure: A new analysis warns officials are trying to limit the Official Information Act under election cover, using cost claims as a “Trojan horse” for reduced access. Tourism Gets an AI Assistant: The Tourism Ministry soft-launches WAKABOT, an AI tourism chatbot and trip-planning tool aligned with World Tourism Day’s digital AI theme. Digital Economy Infrastructure: Sierra Leone uses UNGA week to link energy, telecoms and trade for digital growth, including connectivity, 5G and regional commerce. Pharmacy Modernisation: World Pharmacists Day coverage flags the challenge of informal medicine sales as Sierra Leone pushes a more digitally enabled, professional pharmacy sector. Developer Standards Tool: UNICEF-linked event showcases an AI-assisted DPG Pipeline to help Sierra Leone developers meet Digital Public Goods standards before submission.

Digital Infrastructure & Energy: Sierra Leone used a UNGA side roundtable to link energy, telecoms, data systems and trade—pushing connectivity as a whole digital value chain, with Sierratel’s Africell MVNO model highlighted. Pharmacy Modernisation: World Pharmacists Day spotlighted Sierra Leone’s push for a more professional, digitally enabled pharmacy sector, even as informal medicine sellers keep operating outside regulation. AI for Developers: UNICEF’s UNGA81 event showcased an AI-assisted “DPG Pipeline” to help Sierra Leonean developers meet Digital Public Goods standards before submitting to the registry. Oil & Gas Investment: Sierra Leone’s Petroleum Directorate will pitch offshore upstream opportunities at African Energy Week 2026 in Cape Town, including technical sessions with major operators. Education & Fees: University of Sierra Leone set 2026 graduation dates (24–26 Nov) and fees, with payment due by 13 Nov. Regional Connectivity: Liberia’s LTA urged Mano River Union states to coordinate cross-border digital infrastructure for cheaper, more reliable connectivity.

Digital Health Regulation: Sierra Leone’s pharmacy authorities say informal medicine sellers are still undermining regulated care, with World Pharmacists Day highlighting the need to empower pharmacists and digitise medicine consumption, stock and distribution data. Digital Future Coordination: Three Sierra Leone ministries and private-sector partners met during UNGA week to link energy security, telecoms and data infrastructure—aiming to attract investment across the digital value chain. AI for Developers: UNICEF’s UNGA81 event showcased an AI-assisted “DPG Pipeline” to help Sierra Leonean developers assess and improve digital products against Digital Public Goods standards before registry submission. Conflict Prevention & Early Warning: Sierra Leone’s Peace Commission met NYU’s Center on International Cooperation to strengthen practical conflict prevention, including early-warning and risk identification mechanisms. Energy & Tech Link: Sierra Leone will pitch offshore oil and gas opportunities at African Energy Week 2026, with upstream sessions focused on frontier basin development and investment readiness. Budget Watch: Sierra Leone’s FY2027 budget hearings continued as MoICE presented civic education and strategic communications priorities, alongside capital spending plans.

UN Tech & Governance: Vice-President Kashim Shettima (for Nigeria) used UNGA81 to push a Security Council overhaul, arguing the world of 2026 can’t be run on a 1945 power setup, and calling for at least two permanent African seats (with veto rights) plus five non-permanent seats, alongside stronger climate finance and tech transfer. Sierra Leone Digital Public Goods: Sierra Leone developers are set to use an AI-assisted “DPG Pipeline” to check digital solutions against Digital Public Goods standards before submitting to the DPG Registry. Maritime Skills: Sierra Leone’s trained seafarers still struggle to find vessels for sea time, with the shortage forcing some to rely on temporary ferry options. Energy & Fintech for Fuel: Tango Brook expanded its Tango Fuel App into Sierra Leone and four other African markets, offering traceable fuel and fleet monitoring for businesses. Conflict Prevention Research: Sierra Leone’s Peace Commission met NYU’s Center on International Cooperation to strengthen early-warning and risk identification for conflict prevention. Regional Connectivity: Liberia’s LTA urged Mano River Union states (including Sierra Leone) to coordinate cross-border digital infrastructure and policies. Public Health Tech Abroad: The UK plans wastewater surveillance for Ebola, Marburg, and other threats—an approach that could inspire similar early detection thinking regionally.

UN Reform Push: Nigeria’s UNGA bid, led by VP Kashim Shettima, renewed calls for a Security Council shake-up—at least two permanent African seats with veto rights plus five non-permanent seats—arguing the 1945 power setup no longer fits 2026 realities. Digital Public Goods for Sierra Leone: UNICEF-backed initiative showcased an AI-assisted “DPG Pipeline” to help Sierra Leone developers assess and upgrade digital solutions to meet global Digital Public Goods standards. Regional Connectivity: Liberia’s LTA urged Mano River Union states (including Sierra Leone) to coordinate cross-border internet governance and build integrated infrastructure for cheaper, more reliable connectivity. Ebola/Marburg Surveillance: UKHSA plans to expand wastewater monitoring to detect Ebola, Marburg, and other dangerous infections earlier, boosting pandemic preparedness. Energy & Tech in Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone’s PDSL will pitch offshore oil and gas prospects at African Energy Week 2026, while Mission 300 Accelerator’s Emergent Grid Project will test whether AI-driven compute demand can strengthen mini-grid electricity economics in places including Sierra Leone. Maritime Skills Gap: Sierra Leone seafarers still struggle to find vessels for sea time after training, with vessel shortages cited as a key bottleneck.

Energy Tech in West Africa: Tango Brook’s Tango Fuel App marks its 1st anniversary by expanding its digital fuel payment and fleet management system into Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, DR Congo and Zimbabwe, now used by 150+ corporate organisations. Digital Health & AI for Care: Sierra Leone’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Mustapha Kabba says AI and digital tools should be judged by whether they help health workers act fast enough to save lives, urging better data integration. Education & AI Reality Check: Education Minister Conrad Sackey warns AI in schools can’t distract from overcrowded classrooms, weak literacy and limited learning materials. School Meals as Jobs: Information Minister Chernor Bah pushes locally sourced school meals to link children, farmers and youth employment. UNGA Tech Policy: Communications Minister Salima Bah calls for universal global standards for digital public infrastructure so digital services don’t deepen exclusion. Ebola Update: WHO reports encouraging signs in DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak, with transmission down in Ituri even as other areas rise. Governance & Law: Sierra Leone Law School says a presidential misconduct probe has exceeded its 8-week mandate but insists operations continue. Regional Cybersecurity: Liberia’s telecom regulator urges Mano River Union states to coordinate against cross-border cyber threats. Electricity Reality: Afrobarometer finds fewer than 1 in 10 in Sierra Leone report reliable grid power, highlighting the need for better energy delivery.

Digital Health & AI in Care: Sierra Leone’s Chief Medical Officer Mustapha Kabba told UNGA digital health leaders that AI and emerging tech should be judged by one thing—whether they help frontline workers make faster decisions that save lives, urging better health data integration and tools that reduce delays. Education & AI Reality Check: Education Minister Conrad Sackey warned that AI in education must not distract from overcrowded classrooms, weak literacy, and limited learning materials, calling for evidence from local systems and support for foundational skills. School Meals as Tech-Enabled Jobs: Information Minister Chernor Bah argued Sierra Leone can use locally sourced school meals to link children, farmers, and youth jobs, strengthening self-reliance while improving nutrition. Digital Public Infrastructure Standards: Communications Minister Salima Bah urged universal global standards for digital public infrastructure, warning that poor design can widen exclusion even when systems aim to expand access. Ebola Preparedness Update: WHO reported “encouraging signs” in DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak, with transmission easing in Ituri, while vaccine research continues. Electricity Reliability Gap: Afrobarometer data shows fewer than 1 in 10 in Sierra Leone report reliable grid power, with many turning to alternatives like solar. Regional Cyber Cooperation: Sierra Leone joined Mano River Union calls for coordinated action against cross-border cyber threats and a more secure digital future. EAC Infectious Disease Training: The East African Community trained 120 frontline health professionals in Nairobi to detect, contain, and manage high-consequence outbreaks like Ebola. UNGA AI Governance Push: President Bio urged developing countries to shape AI rules and standards directly, warning against repeating past economic patterns that leave Africa dependent.

Russian “Russian House” expansion: Rossotrudnichestvo will open 11 new partner centres, with 8 in Africa, including Sierra Leone, boosting Russian language, education, science and culture through a tighter quality-assurance network. Electricity access gap: Afrobarometer reports fewer than 1 in 10 people in Sierra Leone (8%) have reliable grid power “most” or “all” of the time, with many turning to alternatives like solar. Digital public infrastructure standards: Sierra Leone’s Communications Minister Salima Bah urges universal global safeguards for digital public infrastructure, warning poor design can widen exclusion. AI governance push: President Bio warns Africa not to repeat past mistakes in the AI era, calling for “shared sovereignty” in building and governing AI. Cyber resilience in West Africa: Sierra Leone’s MRU partners are urged to coordinate against cross-border cyber threats and strengthen a secure digital future. Health tech and Ebola readiness: EAC training in Nairobi is equipping frontline workers to detect, contain and manage high-consequence outbreaks like Ebola, while WHO allocates Ervebo vaccine doses for research in DR Congo. STEM inspiration: Meet Kelvin Doe, a 13-year-old in Freetown building machines from discarded materials and turning tinkering into practical tech.

Nuclear for development: An IAEA-focused piece argues Africa should move from using nuclear tech to helping co-create it, highlighting “Rays of Hope” cancer care support and growing oncology centres including Sierra Leone. Regional justice and media: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is training journalists to push member states to actually implement court rulings, citing weak enforcement. Youth STEM in Sierra Leone: Kelvin Doe, 13, built radio and power systems from discarded materials in Freetown, with his work drawing attention from top global institutions. AI governance at UNGA: President Bio urged Africa to avoid repeating past mistakes in the AI era, calling for “shared sovereignty” in AI rules, standards, and benefits—while another commentary attacks his UN messaging as mismatched with governance at home. Education and digital safety: Sierra Leone validated a new tertiary curriculum for Electoral and Political Studies, and the government launched a national AI and deepfake awareness campaign. Health and research: WHO says 20,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine are allocated for a DRC research trial in Ituri. Funding pressure in higher education: The Technical and Higher Education Ministry flagged subvention delays and infrastructure gaps ahead of the 2027 budget. Startup push: ECOWAS kicked off its Startup Awards process for West African innovators, including Sierra Leoneans, with seed prizes and deal facilitation.