AGP Executive Report

Ebola Watch: DRC’s Ebola outbreak has surged to 4,945 confirmed cases and 2,325 deaths, now the deadliest in the country’s history, with health systems struggling to keep up and fears of wider spread. Cyber & Disinformation: Sierra Leone’s parliament is pushing cybersecurity and anti-fake-news measures, warning that AI-driven misinformation and cyberattacks can disrupt democratic institutions. Digital Fraud Response: Orange Sierra Leone launched a new scam alert and fraud reporting tool to help customers verify suspicious calls/messages and report mobile money scams. Agriculture Tech: The Ministry of Agriculture is upgrading an Agricultural IVR platform so farmers can reach officials faster and more cheaply, with development work reportedly 98% complete. Energy Cost Pressure: Sierra Leone tops a regional ranking for expensive residential electricity tariffs, highlighting how household power costs remain a major burden. Investment Pipeline: Sierra Leone is preparing bankable projects for WAIIS 2026 to attract financing and create jobs, with emphasis on commercial viability and coordination. Critical Minerals & Lithium: A new report warns that lithium extraction in the Sahel is increasingly entangled with conflict and smuggling—raising risks for the wider region’s stability and supply chains.

Lithium & Conflict in the Sahel: A new report warns that the rush for lithium supply in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad and Nigeria is increasingly entangled with insurgency and cross-border smuggling, driven by weak governance. Energy Costs: Sierra Leone tops an African comparison for residential electricity prices, with households paying about 22.8 US cents per kWh—raising pressure on already stretched families. Constitutional Tech & Governance: Sierra Leone’s Constitution (Amendment) Bill dispute is headed to the Supreme Court over what “two-thirds of MPs” means for passage, with ILRAJ raising red flags about how the threshold was applied. Ebola Watch (Regional): WHO says the DRC Ebola outbreak is moving faster than any previous one and could become the deadliest on record; WHO also recommends a Phase III trial of an Ebola vaccine for Bundibugyo virus. Cyber & Fraud Tools: Orange Sierra Leone launches a scam alert and fraud reporting platform, while Parliament pushes cybersecurity and anti-disinformation measures through CPA Africa. Agriculture Digital Access: The Ministry of Agriculture is upgrading an IVR platform so farmers can reach officials faster and cheaper, supporting the Feed Salone Agenda. Education Tech Expansion: Sierra Leone targets 751 tech-enabled schools, adding 278 in six months and planning 203 more by year-end. Investment Pipeline: Sierra Leone steps up project preparation for WAIIS 2026, aiming for bankable, investor-ready proposals. Mining & Minerals: De Beers is reportedly up for sale amid pressure from lab-grown diamonds, reviving scrutiny of conflict-diamond legacies tied to Sierra Leone’s civil war.

Ebola Watch: WHO says the DRC Ebola outbreak is moving faster than any previous one, with confirmed cases now around 4,449 and deaths above 2,000, as conflict and strained health services make containment harder. Vaccine Update: WHO recommends a Phase III trial of the Ebola vaccine Ervebo for protection against Bundibugyo virus, aiming to speed up safe, effective options for the current outbreak. UK Aid Cuts: Britain plans steep reductions in bilateral aid to Sierra Leone, cutting expected support from £16m (2025–26) to £5m (2027–28), raising alarms for health and public services. Investment Push: Sierra Leone is preparing bankable projects for WAIIS 2026 (16–18 Nov) to attract major financing, with MoPED stressing commercial viability and better coordination. Agri Tech for Farmers: The Ministry of Agriculture is upgrading an Agricultural IVR system to connect farmers with officials, cutting rural communication costs and flagging grassroots challenges. Digital Education: Sierra Leone targets 751 tech-enabled schools, adding 203 more after launching 278 in six months. Cybersecurity & Disinfo: Sierra Leone’s parliament urges stronger cyber defenses and anti-disinformation measures at CPA Africa in Malawi. Fraud Protection: Orange Sierra Leone launches a scam alert and fraud reporting tool to help customers verify and report phishing and mobile money scams. Mining & Minerals: Rabotec targets its first fully-owned gold mine within five years, with a West Africa portfolio nearing $1.8bn including Sierra Leone. Energy & EV Tech: ELEKTROS continues promoting Sierra Leone hard-rock lithium and EV charging plans amid AI and electrification investment trends.

UK Aid Cuts: Britain plans to cut bilateral development assistance to Sierra Leone sharply, with bilateral aid dropping from £16m (2025–26) to £5m (2027–28), raising alarms for health services and other public programmes. WAIIS 2026 Investment Push: Sierra Leone is preparing “bankable” projects for the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS) 2026, aiming for commercially viable deals and better coordination across ministries. Digital Agriculture: The Ministry of Agriculture is upgrading an Agricultural IVR platform so farmers can reach officials faster and cheaper, with development work reported at 98%. Education Tech Expansion: Sierra Leone targets 751 tech-enabled schools, adding 278 in six months, with a focus on local ownership and curriculum-aligned learning. Cybersecurity & Fraud Tools: Orange Sierra Leone launches a scam alert and fraud reporting tool, while Parliament leaders urge stronger cybersecurity and anti-disinformation measures across Africa. Ebola Update (Region): Central Africa’s Ebola outbreak is worsening, with DRC confirmed cases reported around 4,449 and deaths around 2,061; WHO also recommends a Phase III vaccine trial for Bundibugyo. Energy & Minerals (ELEKTROS): ELEKTROS continues pitching Sierra Leone hard-rock lithium and EV charging tech, tying the strategy to AI-driven power and storage demand. University Dates: University of Sierra Leone sets 2026 graduation dates for FBC, IPAM and COMAHS (Nov 24–26). Labour Compliance: Labour Ministry engages recruitment agencies to improve compliance with Sierra Leone’s employment laws and ILO private agency standards.

University of Sierra Leone: USL has set its 2026 graduation dates for Fourah Bay College, IPAM and COMAHS, with ceremonies running Nov 24–26 and fees ranging from Le2,500 to Le6,500 depending on level. Cyber & Fraud Safety: Orange Sierra Leone launched a new scam alert and fraud reporting tool to help customers verify suspicious numbers and report phishing and mobile money scams, while the National Cybersecurity Coordinating Centre urged people to “stop, think and verify” before sharing sensitive info. Agriculture Tech for Farmers: The Ministry of Agriculture is upgrading an Agricultural IVR system so farmers can reach officials directly, cutting communication costs and helping identify grassroots challenges. Digital Education Expansion: Sierra Leone is scaling digital learning, adding 278 tech-enabled schools in six months and targeting 751 by year-end, with a push for locally owned platforms. Health & Ebola Watch: WHO recommended a Phase III trial of the Ebola vaccine Ervebo for Bundibugyo virus, as Central Africa’s outbreak continues to surge. Energy & Power Access: A new report warns mini-grids may not be the full answer for universal electrification, as tech and funding realities shift. Road Safety Cooperation: Sierra Leone’s road safety authority is seeking deeper technical ties with Nigeria under a five-year FRSC partnership.

Education & Conflict-Zone Learning: CSEA and partners urged stronger government ownership, innovative financing and cross-country collaboration to tackle West Africa’s education crisis, highlighting Sierra Leone’s Accelerated Education Programmes as a workable model. Ebola Update (Central Africa): Africa CDC and WHO report Ebola in the DRC has surged to about 4,000+ confirmed cases and 2,000+ deaths, with WHO recommending a Phase III trial of the Ervebo vaccine for Bundibugyo. Cybersecurity & Scams: Sierra Leone Parliament pushed cybersecurity and disinformation warnings to CPA Africa in Malawi, while the National Cybersecurity Coordinating Centre urged “stop, think and verify” against mobile fraud. Digital Agriculture: Sierra Leone’s Agriculture Ministry is upgrading an IVR system to connect farmers directly with officials and cut rural communication costs. Mobile Money Fraud Tool: Orange Sierra Leone launched a scam alert and fraud reporting tool to help customers verify and report phishing, impersonation and mobile money scams. Energy & Power Reliability: EDSA announced a planned outage to support integration works for the NANT power project, aiming to improve grid stability. Road Safety Cooperation: SLRSA seeks deeper technical ties with Nigeria’s FRSC to strengthen road safety systems and crash data sharing. STEM & Skills: MTHE announced fully funded 2027 Commonwealth Scholarships for Sierra Leoneans, and youth-focused programmes continue to expand digital and employability training. Governance Watch: ILRAJ raised constitutional concerns over Parliament’s handling of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, and fact-checkers flagged misleading claims about amendments already being approved.

Employment Compliance: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security met private recruitment agencies to close compliance gaps under ILO Convention 181 and the Employment Regulations 2023, with labour leaders urging agencies to follow the Employment Act 2023 and protect workers’ rights. EV & Lithium Investor Push: ELEKTROS kept spotlighting Sierra Leone hard-rock lithium and U.S. EV charging technology, tying its strategy to AI, data centers, electrification and energy-storage demand. Border Tech & Security: NACSA joined West Africa Border Security Week in Accra, where “intelligent border management” featured biometrics, digital identity and document checks from regional tech partners. Road Safety Cooperation: SLRSA sought deeper technical support from Nigeria’s FRSC model under a renewed five-year cooperation framework to cut crashes and strengthen crash data and enforcement. Digital Education: Sierra Leone is scaling digital learning, adding 278 tech-enabled schools in six months and targeting 751 by year-end. Cyber Safety: The National Cybersecurity Coordinating Centre warned citizens to “stop, think and verify” to avoid mobile scams and WhatsApp code theft. Power Works: EDSA scheduled a planned outage for NANT power integration, with line conversion from overhead to underground feeder connections. Ebola Watch (Region): DRC Ebola deaths crossed 2,000 as cases surged, with health officials citing delayed detection, conflict and strained services.

Critical Minerals & EV Charging: ELEKTROS says U.S. investment in AI, data centers and electrification is boosting demand for electricity and energy storage, and it is positioning its Sierra Leone hard-rock lithium and U.S. EV charging patent for the next wave of growth. Border Tech & Identity: Sierra Leone’s NACSA is taking part in West Africa Border Security Week in Accra, focused on “intelligent border management” with biometrics, identity verification and digital security partners. Road Safety Cooperation: SLRSA met Nigeria’s envoy to deepen ties under a five-year MoU with FRSC, targeting crash data, enforcement and public education. Digital Education Expansion: Sierra Leone is pushing digital learning, adding 278 tech-enabled schools in six months and aiming for 751 by year-end. Scholarships for Tech & Research: MTHE announced fully funded 2027 Commonwealth Scholarships for Sierra Leoneans to study Master’s and PhD in the UK. Cyber Safety Warning: The National Cybersecurity Coordinating Centre urges “stop, think and verify” to avoid mobile scams and WhatsApp hijacking. Health Watch (Regional): Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 2,000 deaths and 4,400 cases, with officials citing delayed detection, conflict and strained health services. Constitutional Process Debate: ILRAJ raises constitutional red flags over Parliament’s handling of the 1991 Constitution amendment bill threshold.

EV & Critical Minerals Push: ELEKTROS (ELEK) says U.S. market momentum around AI, data centers, electrification and energy storage is boosting investor interest in its Sierra Leone hard-rock lithium plans and its U.S. EV charging patent. Digital Education Expansion: Sierra Leone is scaling tech-enabled learning, launching 278 digital schools in six months and targeting 203 more to reach 751 by year-end, with a focus on community ownership and curriculum-aligned platforms. Constitutional & Governance Watch: ILRAJ warns Parliament’s handling of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill may have breached the 1991 Constitution’s voting threshold rules, urging clarity on procedure. Cyber Safety: Sierra Leone’s National Cybersecurity Coordinating Centre urges “stop, think and verify” to curb mobile scams and WhatsApp account takeovers. Energy Access Debate: A new analysis argues mini-grids may not be the full answer for Africa’s electrification goals, citing funding and technology shifts. Health Crisis Regionally: Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 2,000 deaths and 4,400 cases, described as the fastest-spreading on record. Scholarships: MTHE announces fully funded 2027 Commonwealth Scholarships for eligible Sierra Leoneans to study in the UK.

Constitutional Oversight: ILRAJ says Parliament’s reported passage of Sierra Leone’s Constitution (Amendment) Bill on 10 Aug 2026 raised “constitutional red flags,” arguing the required two-thirds vote threshold at both Second and Third Readings was misread and that the Speaker’s interpretation should have been clarified before proceeding. Cyber Safety: Sierra Leone’s National Cybersecurity Coordinating Centre warns the public to “stop, think and verify” amid rising mobile scams and WhatsApp hijacking, urging users never to share verification codes or two-step PINs. Power Reliability: EDSA announces a planned outage (12–14 Aug) to integrate the 108.4MW NANT gas plant into the grid, with daily work from 9am and impacts mainly along the Portee–Waterloo corridor. Ebola Watch (Regional): In the DRC, Ebola deaths have crossed 2,000 as cases surge past 4,400, with officials citing delayed detection, conflict, and strained health services. Energy Sector Leadership: EGTC Director General Ing. Milton Gegbai has died in Freetown after a brief illness, prompting expectations of interim leadership updates. Digital & Health Systems: NASSIT leadership changes as Chernor Mamoud Jalloh takes over from Mohamed Fuaad Daboh, with a focus on sustaining social security and continuing ICT modernization.

Ebola Update (DRC): The Democratic Republic of Congo says confirmed Ebola deaths have hit 2,011 and cases 4,381 across five provinces, with officials blaming delayed detection, conflict, and strained health services for the outbreak’s rapid spread. Cybersecurity (Sierra Leone): The National Cybersecurity Coordinating Centre issues a “Stop, Think, and Verify” warning over mobile scams, urging people never to share WhatsApp verification codes or two-step PINs. Constitution Check (Sierra Leone): A Facebook claim that Parliament amended the 1991 Constitution on 28 July 2026 is flagged misleading—the bill was debated but not amended then. Power & Grid Works (Sierra Leone): EDSA announces a 3-day power interruption (Aug 12–14) for NANT project integration, including converting a 33kV line to an underground cable. Energy Leadership (Sierra Leone): EGTC Director General Milton Gegbai dies in Freetown after a brief illness. Lithium/EV Tech (Sierra Leone): ELEKTROS reiterates its hard-rock lithium focus and its proprietary EV charging patent as it seeks broader investor attention.

EV & Critical Minerals Watch: ELEKTROS (ELEK) says Sierra Leone hard-rock lithium, its U.S. EV charging patent, and a broader investor push remain at the center of its long-term electrification plan. Public Health Crisis: The DRC reports confirmed Ebola deaths hit 2,011 and cases 4,381 across five provinces, with health officials warning the outbreak is the fastest-spreading on record amid delayed detection, conflict, and strained services. Digital Skills & Jobs: In Kenema, 80 Sierra Leonean youth graduate from an ITC-supported digital literacy programme with internships, aiming to boost employability in the growing tech economy. Digital Public Infrastructure: Sierra Leone’s MoCTI wraps a National DPI Dialogue focused on building digital trust and transaction infrastructure, with calls for secure digital identity and citizen-first platforms. Energy Access: New data estimates 5.98 million people in Sierra Leone lacked electricity access in 2025, highlighting the ongoing rural power gap.

Digital Public Infrastructure & Digital Trust: Sierra Leone wrapped up a National Digital Public Infrastructure Dialogue, pushing secure digital identity and citizen-first platforms to power the digital economy. Public Procurement Tech: Government plans to roll out Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) and automated audit tracking across local councils to cut revenue leakages and boost transparency. AI in Education: A World Bank report highlights how AI via WhatsApp tools like TheTeacher.AI is helping Sierra Leone teachers plan lessons with far less data use. Mobile Connectivity: QCell launched a new 035 number series in Freetown, linking SIM registration to QMoney for stronger mobile financial inclusion. Youth Skills for Jobs: YAD/ITC/KOICA certified 80 Kenema youth after a digital literacy programme, while President Bio doubles down on skills training and micro-credentials. Energy Access Gap: New data says nearly 6 million Sierra Leoneans lacked electricity access in 2025, underscoring the scale of the challenge. E-waste & Plastic Innovation: Young Sierra Leoneans are turning electronic waste into solar lamps and recycling plastics into backpacks. Health Crisis Watch: Ebola in DR Congo keeps accelerating, with WHO warning the outbreak is outrunning response efforts. Energy Sector Loss: EGTC Director General Milton Gegbai dies in Freetown after a brief illness. Mining/EV Investment Hype: ELEKTROS renewed focus on Sierra Leone hard-rock lithium and its EV charging patent to attract investors.

Energy & Power Access: Infotrix data says 5,981,016 Sierra Leoneans lacked electricity access in 2025, with grid/mini-grids reaching only 21.1% of households and solar making up much of the rest. Digital Government: Sierra Leone is rolling out Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) and automated audit tracking across local councils to cut revenue leakages and boost transparency. Digital Public Infrastructure: MoCTI wrapped up a National DPI Dialogue on building digital trust and transaction infrastructure, with banks and civil registration leaders stressing secure digital identity. Skills for Jobs: YAD/ITC/KOICA certified 80 youth in advanced digital literacy in Kenema, while President Bio highlighted TVET, micro-credentials, and skills-to-employment links. Youth & Innovation: A Sierra Leone youth innovator is turning electronic waste into solar lamps and plastic backpacks to tackle e-waste and pollution. Mobile Connectivity: QCell launched a new 035 number series with a six-month promo and KYC-linked SIM registration. Ebola Update (Regional): WHO says the DRC outbreak is outrunning response as cases near 4,000 and deaths approach 2,000. Education Tech (Global): Edubex expands AI-enabled learning and university partnerships across Africa, the UK, and the Middle East. Energy Sector Leadership: EGTC Director General Milton Gegbai has died in Freetown after a brief illness.

Ebola Response Under Strain: WHO says the DRC Ebola outbreak is outrunning the response as confirmed cases pass 4,000 and deaths near 2,000, with contact tracing thinning and experts warning the real toll may be higher. Digital Public Infrastructure Push: Sierra Leone’s MoCTI wrapped up a National DPI Dialogue on building digital trust and transaction systems, with NCRA urging an identity-first approach for secure services. Public Procurement Goes Digital: Government plans to launch electronic government procurement and automated digital audits across local councils to cut revenue leakages and boost transparency. Youth Digital Skills: YAD/ITC/KOICA-backed training in Kenema graduated 80 young people after nine months, linking digital literacy to internships and employability. Mobile Connectivity Boost: QCell launched a new 035 number series in Freetown with a promo package and stronger links to QMoney for financial inclusion. Energy Access Gap: New data estimates nearly 6 million Sierra Leoneans lacked electricity access in 2025, underlining the scale of the challenge. Policy & Governance: President Bio’s “Year of Action” speech doubled down on accountability, anti-corruption enforcement, and faster delivery.

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation wrapped up a National DPI Dialogue, with leaders stressing citizen-first digital trust, secure identity, and payments as the backbone for services. Digital Governance: President Bio says local councils will get Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) and digital audits to cut leakages and boost transparency. Tax Tech: NRA and SICPA finished a Product Tracing System workshop for excise taxpayers in Freetown, focusing on tax stamps and compliance. Teacher Skills: The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, with UNICEF, pushed teacher education reform in Freetown, tightening standards and preparing teachers for AI-enabled classrooms. Youth Employment: YAD/ITC/KOICA certified 80 Kenema youth in advanced digital literacy with internships to improve job prospects. Connectivity & Inclusion: QCell launched a new 035 mobile number series in Freetown, linking SIM registration with QMoney for wider mobile financial access. Energy Access: New data estimates nearly 6 million Sierra Leoneans lacked electricity access in 2025, underscoring the infrastructure gap. Policy & Accountability: Bio warned officials that no office will shield anyone from scrutiny as Sierra Leone enters its “Year of Action.”