AGP Executive Report

Digital Connectivity: CSquared adds extra capacity on the 2Africa West submarine cable to boost route diversity and resilience for West and Central Africa, targeting landing-station concentration risks that have repeatedly disrupted regional internet. Higher Education Governance: Sierra Leone’s Public Sector Reform Unit completes entrance meetings for public universities under the Higher Education Management and Functional Review, aiming to improve transparency, accountability, and graduate employability. Health Data & Tech Skills: Rwanda shares its national health intelligence system with Sierra Leone and other ECOWAS countries in a South-to-South learning exchange, pushing countries to own and use health data locally. Education Policy: COMAHS (University of Sierra Leone) reiterates a strict 75% attendance rule for semester exams, warning of “no sacred cow” enforcement. Community & Youth Tech Culture: King Tommy wins Best TikTok/Content Creator of the Year at the Salone Awards of Excellence 2026, spotlighting Sierra Leone’s growing digital creative influence. Maritime Security: Sierra Leone joins a Gulf of Guinea rapid reaction maritime task force to tackle piracy, smuggling, armed robbery, and illegal fishing. Internet & Public Services: VP Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh inspects the new Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi ahead of the ECOWAS summit, including its ICT hub. Public Safety & Rights: A USL staff member alleges police assault in Freetown after a roadside confrontation; Sierra Leone Police had not yet responded. Politics & Reconciliation: Sierra Leone drops treason charges against ex-president Ernest Bai Koroma on health grounds, a potential turning point for national reconciliation.

Digital Connectivity: CSquared added capacity on the 2Africa West submarine cable to boost route diversity and resilience for West and Central Africa’s internet links. Health Tech & Data: Rwanda is sharing its national health intelligence system with Sierra Leone and other countries, pushing for local ownership of health data and less dependence on external systems. STEM Education Support: A German NGO monitoring mission visited four Sierra Leone districts to assess BMZ-funded projects, including climate-smart farming, school gardens, water systems, and solar support. Girls’ Science Recovery: SEND-Sierra Leone and partners backed the rebuilding of Nyapui School of Excellence for Girls after repeated fires, including donations of beds and mattresses. Higher Education Governance: Sierra Leone’s PSRU held entrance meetings with public universities under the higher education review to improve governance and graduate employability. Policy & Security: Sierra Leone dropped treason charges against ex-president Ernest Bai Koroma on health grounds, while a separate report alleges police assault of a University of Sierra Leone staffer in Freetown.

Digital Media Spotlight: King Tommy wins Best TikTok/Content Creator of the Year at the Salone Awards of Excellence 2026 in the US, a sign of Sierra Leone’s growing influence in online entertainment. Maritime Security: A joint regional push helped launch a Gulf of Guinea rapid reaction maritime task force, with Sierra Leone among the first countries committing resources to tackle piracy, smuggling, armed robbery and illegal fishing. Health Tech & Training: Sierra Leone-China Nursing Training Center runs a specialized course using telemedicine links to strengthen frontline nursing skills, including eye care and emergency triage. Education & STEM Resilience: Sierra Leone’s COMAHS reiterates a strict 75% attendance rule ahead of exams, while the Nyapui School of Excellence for Girls in Kenema faces repeated fire disruptions and recovery support. AI for Creators: A Google-backed programme with Idris Elba’s foundation will train nearly 100,000 creators across Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and Sierra Leone, boosting AI tools and production support. Human Rights Data Gap: An anti-trafficking advocate tells a UN forum that fewer than 1% of trafficking victims are officially identified, calling it a major protection failure. Infrastructure & Connectivity: CSquared announces capacity on the 2Africa West submarine cable to improve route diversity and reduce landing-station concentration risk across West and Central Africa.

Maritime Security: Sierra Leone is among the first six countries backing an Africa-led Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea to tackle piracy, smuggling, armed robbery and illegal fishing. Education & STEM: COMAHS at the University of Sierra Leone says it will strictly enforce a 75% attendance rule ahead of semester exams, after students shared inaccurate claims online. Girls’ Science Recovery: A joint delegation is moving to rebuild Nyapui School of Excellence for Girls in Kenema after repeated fires, starting with 100 bunk beds and 200 mattresses. Digital Skills: Sierra Leone launches a Digital Skills Training Programme for 1,000 civil servants, with the first cohort starting 17 July to boost public service delivery. Health Tech Training: The China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center runs a telemedicine-linked course for frontline nurses, combining digital instruction with practical clinical sessions. Health Data Cooperation: Sierra Leone joins a regional learning exchange on national health intelligence systems, sharing Rwanda’s approach to owning and using health data. Water & Food Security: Sierra Leone’s National Irrigation Commission expands water access through well-drilling and irrigation projects to support agricultural production. Anti-Trafficking Focus: A UN forum hears that fewer than 1% of trafficking victims are officially identified, calling for better protection systems. AI for Creators: A Google-backed programme with Idris Elba’s foundation will support nearly 100,000 creators across Sierra Leone and other countries with AI tools and training.

Digital Skills for Civil Service: Sierra Leone launched a Digital Skills Training Programme to equip 1,000 civil servants in year one, with cohorts starting 17 July and scaling toward 3,000 then 5,000+ as part of the national digital transformation push. STEM Education Recovery: The Nyapui School of Excellence for Girls in Kenema is getting support after repeated fire damage, including a solidarity visit and an immediate donation of 100 bunk beds and 200 mattresses to restore safe learning and boarding. Health Tech Training: Sierra Leone’s China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center delivered a telemedicine-linked specialized course for 40+ nurses, connecting Chinese experts to Freetown while strengthening practical eye-care and clinical triage skills. AI in Elections: The Electoral Commission highlighted Sierra Leone’s AI-in-elections work after an Electoral Officer presented the country’s responsible, inclusive AI approach in New Delhi. Regional Connectivity: CSquared announced capacity on the 2Africa West cable to improve route diversity and reduce landing-hub concentration risk across West and Central Africa. Campus Rules: COMAHS reiterated a strict 75% attendance requirement for semester exams, warning of no “sacred cow” enforcement.

Digital Skills for Civil Servants: Sierra Leone launched a Digital Skills Training Programme to equip 1,000 civil servants with baseline digital competence, with the first cohort starting 17 July and scaling to 3,000 in the medium term. Digital ID & Finance Access: A new analysis argues Sierra Leone’s digital ID push matters because fewer than 500,000 people picked up cards in 2024—blocking KYC and bank access for most adults. Health Data Systems: Rwanda is sharing its national health intelligence model with Sierra Leone and other countries, stressing local ownership of health data to guide policy. STEM for Girls After Fire: Partners including NDMA, SEND-Sierra Leone and UNDP plan recovery support for Nyapui School of Excellence for Girls in Kenema, starting with 100 bunk beds and 200 mattresses. AI in Elections: Sierra Leone’s Electoral Commission highlighted responsible, inclusive AI use for voter facilitation and logistics at an AI and elections course in India. Pharma Expansion: MeCure Industries raised its capital target to N50bn and says it will expand production and push into West Africa, including Sierra Leone.

Digital Skills for Civil Servants: Sierra Leone has launched a Digital Skills Training Programme to equip 1,000 civil servants with core digital competencies, with the first cohort starting 17 July in Freetown and more cohorts rolling out over 8–9 months. Digital Identity & Payments: Sierra Leone is also moving toward a national digital identity and stablecoin system via a MoU with Bhutan’s digital identity partners and SIGN, aiming for secure, interoperable digital public infrastructure. Elections Tech in Focus: The Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) says an Electoral Officer presented Sierra Leone’s responsible, inclusive AI strategy for election management in New Delhi, highlighting human-centred safeguards and voter facilitation. Health Tech Training: The China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center delivered a second specialized course combining telemedicine tools with practical clinical instruction for more than 40 nurses nationwide. Education Recovery After Fire: The Nyapui School of Excellence for Girls in Kenema is set for rebuilding support after a fire, with partners handing over 100 bunk beds and 200 mattresses as an immediate step. STEM & Youth Wellbeing: Sierra Leone’s STEM education ecosystem gets a boost as APRIL-STEM completes a curriculum pilot phase in Sierra Leone, while youth mental health is framed as a development priority for Africa’s future.

STEM Education Recovery: Sierra Leone’s Nyapui School of Excellence for Girls in Kenema is set for rebuilding after a fire outbreak, with a high-level delegation including NDMA, UNDP and partners handing over 100 bunk beds and 200 mattresses as an urgent first step. Digital Skills for Civil Servants: The Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation launched a Digital Skills Training Programme for 1,000 civil servants, with the first cohort starting 17 July in Freetown to support the country’s digital transformation. Digital ID Push: Sierra Leone signed an MoU with Bhutan and the Sign Foundation to design and build a secure, interoperable digital identity platform, using verifiable credentials and blockchain-backed infrastructure. AI in Elections: The Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone highlighted its responsible AI strategy at an AI and Elections course in India, stressing human-centred safeguards for voter facilitation and election logistics. Health Tech Training: The China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center delivered a specialized course combining telemedicine with practical clinical instruction for more than 40 nurses nationwide. Airport Fee Review: Sierra Leone suspended the $25 Airport Security Fee at Freetown International Airport while an audit and contract review continue, with Securiport maintaining core operations.

Digital Skills & Public Service: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation launched a Digital Skills Training Programme for 1,000 civil servants, with the first cohort starting 17 July to boost digital competence across ministries. Digital Identity & Payments: Sierra Leone signed a deal with Bhutan and SIGN Foundation to design and build a secure national digital identity platform, using verifiable credentials and blockchain-backed infrastructure. AI in Elections: The Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone says an Electoral Officer presented the country’s responsible, inclusive AI strategy for election management in New Delhi, stressing human-centred safeguards and public trust. Healthcare Training (Telemedicine): The China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center ran a second specialized course linking Chinese experts to Sierra Leone via a digital platform, training 40+ nurses in telemedicine-supported clinical skills. Education Recovery: NDMA and partners visited Nyapui School of Excellence for Girls in Kenema after a fire, handing over 100 bunk beds and 200 mattresses to restart safe boarding and learning. STEM Curriculum Expansion: APRIL-STEM completed phase 1 of its SMET STEM curriculum pilot in Sierra Leone, training teachers and students through a community-focused programme. Airport Security Fee Review: Sierra Leone suspended the $25 airport security fee while it reviews the contract and completes an independent audit, aiming for a smoother collection system.

Nursing & Telemedicine: China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center delivered a second specialized course linking Chinese experts to Freetown via a digital platform, training 40+ frontline nurses with practical eye-care, triage, and bedside nursing guidance at the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital. Mental Health for Youth: A new push argues Sierra Leone must treat youth wellbeing and mental health as development priorities, not just healthcare issues, tying stress and trauma to weaker learning, work, and social outcomes. Digital Skills for Government: Sierra Leone launched a Digital Skills Training Programme for 1,000 civil servants, with cohorts starting 17 July, to build baseline digital competence across ministries and improve public service delivery. Digital Identity & Stablecoin Talk: Sierra Leone’s digital ID/stablecoin plans are framed as bigger than “trading,” focusing on getting people into the financial system through secure identity and access. AI in Elections & Tourism: ECSL showcased Sierra Leone’s AI-elections strategy in India, while Sierra Leone signed an AI-powered tourism branding pilot to improve trip planning and destination visibility. Airport Fee Review: Government suspended the $25 airport security fee to complete an audit and review the contract, while Securiport keeps core traffic operations running. Anti-Exam Fraud: COMAHS rusticated six students and ended six lecturers’ contracts after a probe into pre-admission exam malpractice. Innovation Hub: UNDP says UniPod Sierra Leone will launch at Fourah Bay College to support young innovators with tools, collaboration, and digital skills. Wildlife Urgency: A feature warns chimpanzees are running out of time, echoing conservation pressure for urgent action.

Digital Identity & Payments: Sierra Leone’s digital ID and stablecoin push is framed as a “from zero” fix for low banking access, contrasting Georgia’s stablecoin upgrade with Sierra Leone’s ID-card pickup bottleneck that blocks KYC and accounts. City Climate Tech: Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr met Canada’s High Commissioner to expand cooperation on waste-to-energy and other sustainable urban projects under the Transform Freetown plan. STEM Education: APRIL-STEM says its SMET curriculum pilot phase 1 is complete in Sierra Leone and the US, training teachers and students through a one-month intensive programme. AI in Elections: Sierra Leone’s Electoral Commission highlighted its responsible, inclusive AI approach for voter facilitation and logistics at an AI-and-elections course in India. AI for Tourism: Sierra Leone signed an MoU to pilot an AI-powered tourism branding and trip-planning platform with Passporter Limited. Innovation Ecosystem: UNDP announced UniPod Sierra Leone, an innovation hub at Fourah Bay College launching July 9 to build digital skills and tech solutions. Academic Integrity: COMAHS rusticated six students and ended six lecturers’ contracts over exam malpractice in its nursing pre-admission process. Transport & Safety Tech: Sierra Leone suspended a $25 airport security fee while reviewing the contract and audit work, and also signed a five-year road safety partnership MoU with Nigeria’s FRSC.

Digital Identity & Payments: Sierra Leone signed an MoU with Bhutan and Sign Foundation to design and build a secure, interoperable digital identity platform, with verifiable credentials and capacity transfer—plus a push toward a national stablecoin-style financial access model. AI for Tourism: Sierra Leone also inked an AI tourism partnership with Passporter Limited for a three-month pilot to improve trip planning, destination visibility, and tourism data for policy. Innovation Ecosystem: UNDP announced UniPod Sierra Leone will launch at Fourah Bay College (July 9) to help young innovators build tech solutions and digital skills. Education Integrity: COMAHS at the University of Sierra Leone rusticated six students and ended six lecturers’ contracts over exam malpractice tied to the March pre-admission process. Transport Tech & Safety: Sierra Leone and Nigeria signed a five-year road safety MoU covering training, research, data management, and technology-driven enforcement. Energy & Mobility Costs: Sierra Leone suspended the $25 airport security fee while reviewing the contract and audit process, and lawmakers raised concerns that fuel quality may not match the premium pricing formula.

Digital Identity & Payments: Sierra Leone signed an MoU with Bhutan and SIGN to design and build a national digital identity platform, using blockchain-backed verifiable credentials and open-source tools—aimed at secure, interoperable Digital Public Infrastructure. Tourism Tech: Sierra Leone also signed an MoU with Passporter Limited for a three-month AI-powered tourism branding and trip-planning pilot, promising smarter destination visibility and better tourism data for policy. Airport Fees Review: The government suspended the $25 Airport Security Fee at Freetown International Airport while it reviews the contract and completes an independent special audit, with Securiport continuing core passenger traffic logging. AI in Music: A new report looks at how AI is reshaping Sierra Leone’s music industry—boosting production for some, but raising concerns about originality, voice replication, and copyright. Innovation Ecosystem: UNDP says UniPod Sierra Leone will launch at Fourah Bay College (July 9) to support young innovators with tools, digital skills, and tech-enabled solutions. Road Safety Collaboration: Sierra Leone and Nigeria signed a five-year road safety MoU covering training, research, technology, data management, and enforcement. Education Integrity: COMAHS at the University of Sierra Leone rusticated six students and ended six lecturers’ contracts after an investigation into exam malpractice in its pre-admission process. Digital Skills Push in Freetown: Freetown’s mayor urged students at CODE’s matriculation to lead in the digital economy, linking tech training to jobs and entrepreneurship. Fuel Quality Concern: Lawmakers heard claims that Sierra Leone’s fuel quality may fall short of the sulphur standards consumers pay for, with engine and emissions impacts highlighted. Regional Tech Governance: ECSL staff began a week-long AI and elections capacity-building programme in India, focused on election systems, cybersecurity, misinformation, and ethical AI use.

AI & Music: Sierra Leone’s music scene is embracing AI tools for faster production, but artists and legal experts are debating originality, voice replication, and who should be paid when AI-generated performances use human likeness. Fuel Quality & Engines: Sierra Leone lawmakers are questioning whether imported fuel meets the sulphur standard used in pricing, warning that poor-quality fuel could be linked to vehicle engine failures and mechanical problems. Airport Fees: The government has suspended the $25 Airport Security Fee at Freetown International Airport while it reviews the contract and completes an independent audit, with Securiport continuing core passenger traffic logging. Digital Identity: Sierra Leone signs an MoU with Bhutan and Sign Foundation to build a secure, interoperable digital identity platform using verifiable credentials and blockchain-backed infrastructure. Tourism AI: Sierra Leone partners with Passporter Limited on a three-month AI-powered tourism branding pilot to improve trip planning, destination visibility, and tourism data for policy. Innovation for Youth: UNDP announces UniPod Sierra Leone at Fourah Bay College, launching July 9 to support young innovators with tech tools, collaboration space, and digital skills. Road Safety Tech: Sierra Leone and Nigeria sign a five-year road safety MoU covering training, research, technology, data management, and enforcement support. Elections & AI Skills: ECSL staff begin a week-long AI and elections capacity programme in India focused on election systems, data analytics, cybersecurity, misinformation control, and ethical rules.

AI & Tourism Branding: Sierra Leone signed an MoU with Passporter Limited to run a three-month AI-powered tourism marketing pilot, including smart trip planning, better destination visibility, and a data platform to guide policy. Innovation Ecosystem: UNDP says President Julius Maada Bio is expected to launch UniPod Sierra Leone at Fourah Bay College on July 9, giving young innovators tools and spaces to build tech solutions. Electoral Tech Skills: Four ECSL staff are in India for a week-long AI and elections training focused on voter services, election systems, data use, cybersecurity, misinformation, and AI ethics. Education Integrity: COMAHS rusticated six students and ended contracts for six lecturers after an investigation into exam malpractice tied to its March pre-admission process. Airport Tech Contract Review: Sierra Leone suspended the US$25 airport security fee at Freetown International Airport while reviewing the Securiport (SL) contract and conducting a special audit. Road Safety Collaboration: Sierra Leone and Nigeria signed a five-year road safety MoU covering training, research, technology, data management, and enforcement.

AI Tourism Push: Sierra Leone signed an MoU with Passporter Limited to run a three-month AI-powered tourism branding pilot, including smart trip planning, better destination visibility, and data to guide policy. Innovation for Youth: UNDP says UniPod Sierra Leone will launch July 9 at Fourah Bay College, giving students and innovators tools, digital skills, and space to turn ideas into tech solutions. Election Tech Training: Four ECSL staff are in New Delhi for a week-long AI and elections capacity programme, covering AI use in voter registration, education, data systems, cybersecurity, and misinformation control. Education Integrity: COMAHS rusticated six students and ended contracts for six lecturers after an investigation into exam malpractice tied to the March pre-admission process. Road Safety Partnership: Sierra Leone and Nigeria signed a five-year road safety MoU to boost enforcement, training, research, data management, and technology sharing. Airport Fee Shock: Sierra Leone suspended the US$25 airport security fee at Freetown International Airport while reviewing the Securiport contract and conducting an audit. Digital Economy Skills: Freetown Mayor Aki-Sawyerr urged students at CODE’s matriculation to lead in the digital economy.