AGP Executive Report

Digital Education Reform: University of Sierra Leone drops hard-bound dissertation submissions, moving to electronic-only files to cut costs and waste. Women’s Enterprise Support: UNDP starts verification of women-led SMEs in Sierra Leone’s post-rice production under the EWASME project, aiming to improve access to finance, markets and skills. Youth & Jobs Partnerships: MoPED and UNICEF discuss new collaboration areas including youth employment, local production and evidence-based planning, with a focus on locally made nutrition products. Information Access & Tech Governance: Sierra Leone prepares to host two September international information events—UNESCO’s universal access day and the ICIC—at Lungi, with multiple ministries coordinating logistics and policy. Communications Standards: Minister Chernor Bah backs SLACPRP to strengthen ethical PR standards, misinformation mitigation and policy intelligence. AI & Trust in Media: Visa pour l’Image highlights how generative AI is challenging the idea of visual proof, pushing for stronger safeguards for press photography. Health Tech & Public Safety: DR Congo begins Ebola vaccination using Ervebo for frontline workers as the outbreak spreads, underscoring the need for fast, scaled response.

Digital Education Reform: Sierra Leone University of Sierra Leone has dropped hard-bound dissertation submissions, moving to electronic-only filings from Aug 28 to cut costs and waste. Cybersecurity for Public Services: Sierra Leone’s MoCTI unveiled draft Critical Information Infrastructure protection plans for Energy, Health, Education, and Defence/Security under the National Digital Transformation Agenda, with NC3 and World Bank support. AI and Media Trust: Visa pour l’Image opened with a warning that generative AI is challenging “visual evidence,” pushing workshops on how photographers and newsrooms can defend trust. AI Access for Students: Google expanded its free one-year Google AI Plus offer to 27 African countries, including Sierra Leone, with Gemini tools and extra cloud storage for verified students. Women’s Enterprise Verification: UNDP began verifying women-led SMEs in Sierra Leone’s post-rice production for the EWASME project, aiming to improve access to finance, markets, and skills. Youth and Jobs Partnerships: MoPED and UNICEF discussed youth employment, local production of nutrition products, and evidence-based planning to mobilise investment. Health Tech in Crisis: DR Congo started Ebola vaccinations using Ervebo for frontline workers as the outbreak spreads, while trials seek a jab for the current strain. Public Relations Standards: Information Minister Chernor Bah backed SLACPRP efforts to strengthen ethics, accreditation, and misinformation mitigation in Sierra Leone’s communications sector.

AI & Media Trust: Visa pour l’Image opens its 38th edition with a warning that generative AI is undermining visual evidence, after a widely shared “fake image” fooled major outlets and social media users. Women’s Business Verification: UNDP has started verifying women-led SMEs in Sierra Leone’s post-rice production under the EWASME project, aiming to improve access to finance, markets and skills. Student AI Access: Google expands free Google AI Plus for students across 27 African countries, including Sierra Leone, with Gemini tools and cloud storage after status verification. Climate Skills Push: Ghana moves to host a WMO regional training centre at GMET, linking forecast centres, ports and universities to build practical climate resilience skills. Digital Education Reform: University of Sierra Leone drops hard-bound dissertation submissions in favour of electronic-only filings to cut costs and waste. Cyber Protection Plans: Sierra Leone drafts critical information infrastructure protection plans for energy, health, education and defence/security under its digital transformation agenda. Youth & Investment: MoPED and UNICEF discuss youth employment, local production and evidence-based planning, including nutrition supply chains. Ebola Response Update (Regional): DR Congo begins Ebola vaccination with Ervebo for frontline workers as the outbreak spreads under difficult conditions.

Digital Education Reform: Sierra Leone University has dropped the requirement for hard-bound dissertation submissions, moving to electronic-only filings to cut costs and waste. Public Communications Standards: Information Minister Chernor Bah backed the Sierra Leone Association of Communication and Public Relations Professionals (SLACPRP) on ethics, accreditation, misinformation mitigation, and stronger media–public relations. Youth & Jobs Partnerships: MoPED and UNICEF agreed on new collaboration areas including youth employment, local production of nutrition supplies, early childhood development, and evidence-based planning. Information Access Events: Sierra Leone is preparing to host two major international information conferences in September at Lungi, including UNESCO’s Universal Access to Information event and the International Conference of Information Commissioners. Critical Digital Protection: MoCTI unveiled draft plans to protect critical digital systems in energy, health, education, and defence/security under the National Digital Transformation Agenda. Ebola Response Tech & Health: DR Congo began Ebola vaccinations using Ervebo for frontline workers as the outbreak spreads, with trials underway for the current strain. Education Integrity: The Technical and Higher Education Minister urged zero tolerance for exam malpractice and fake qualifications.

Transport & Safety (Ghana/Regional): The World Bank says only about 27% of Ghana’s 94,200km road network is paved, with road accidents costing roughly US$4.55bn a year (about 2.1% of GDP), and it flags persistent crash hotspots—especially on rural major roads—calling road safety a macro and fiscal priority. Health (DR Congo): DR Congo has started Ebola vaccinations, prioritising frontline health workers with the Ervebo vaccine while trials continue for the outbreak’s strain; authorities report thousands of cases and deaths amid insecurity and displacement. Digital Protection (Sierra Leone): Sierra Leone’s MoCTI has unveiled draft Critical Information Infrastructure protection plans for Energy, Health, Education, and Defence/Security to strengthen resilience against cyberattacks and failures, supported by the World Bank and KPMG. Education Integrity (Sierra Leone): The Technical and Higher Education Minister calls for zero tolerance on exam malpractice and fake qualifications, warning weak enforcement is undermining education credibility. Youth & Jobs (Sierra Leone): Sierra Leone explores expanded youth cooperation with Saudi Arabia, focusing on skills, entrepreneurship, education, and digital pathways to employment. Planning & Investment (Sierra Leone): MoPED outlines new investment and development coordination plans, including 10 bankable projects across blue economy, tourism, fisheries, sea transport, and agriculture, plus community planning pilots. Health Research (Global/Africa relevance): New studies map lifetime colorectal and breast cancer risks and highlight how socioeconomic factors shape who is most vulnerable, with Sierra Leone named among countries seeing large nutritional gains if local fish catch is retained.

Digital Security Push: Sierra Leone’s MoCTI has unveiled draft Sector-Specific Critical Information Infrastructure protection plans for Energy, Health, Education, and Defence/Security, aiming to harden vital services against cyberattacks and failures. National Development Pipeline: MoPED says it’s driving investment and coordination through 10 “bankable” projects (blue economy, tourism, fisheries, sea transport, agriculture) plus community planning pilots in Maforki and Marampa. Youth Skills & Jobs: VP Juldeh Jalloh backed the Latter-day Saints’ “Succeed in School” and plans for a Global Education Centre to expand digital skills and employment pathways. Education Integrity: The Technical and Higher Education Minister called for zero tolerance on exam malpractice and fake qualifications, urging stronger enforcement to protect education credibility. Tech Business News: Spencer Technologies was acquired by NewBold Technologies, with Spencer continuing services for retail clients including payment systems and self-service kiosks. Health & Nutrition Research: New global studies map lifetime colorectal and breast cancer risks, while another report links nutritional gains to retaining African fish locally—highlighting Sierra Leone among countries with major potential benefits.

Digital Security for Critical Services: Sierra Leone’s MoCTI has unveiled draft Sector-Specific Critical Information Infrastructure protection plans for Energy, Health, Education, and Defence/Security, aiming to harden systems against cyberattacks and failures under the Cyber Security and Crime Act 2021. Youth Skills Partnerships: Sierra Leone and Saudi Arabia discussed expanding youth cooperation in skills training, entrepreneurship, education, and youth-to-youth ties. Road Safety as a Growth Issue: A World Bank report says traffic injuries cost about 2.1% of GDP annually, with crash hotspots concentrated on urban and especially rural roads—urging road safety to be treated as a macro and fiscal priority. Health Research: New global studies map lifetime colorectal and breast cancer risks across countries, highlighting stark disparities tied to income, screening access, and health systems. Workforce & Workplace Health: A West Africa survey finds 62% of workers get no workplace malaria prevention support, pointing to gaps between awareness and action. Remote Work Signals: A Remitly study ranks Sierra Leone among higher remote-job markets (92.4%), while South Africa sits lowest in Africa (17.6%). Infrastructure Delivery Watch: Commentary flags Sierra Leone’s Siaka Stevens National Stadium rehabilitation delays as a warning sign for major project planning and delivery. Maritime Tech Training: IMO says seafarer assessment and certification must evolve with automation, digital tools, autonomous shipping, and alternative fuels. Education Safety: Research from Karene district reports high levels of violence against children with disabilities in mainstream schools, including physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.

Digital Protection: Sierra Leone’s MoCTI has unveiled draft Sector-Specific Critical Information Infrastructure protection plans for Energy, Health, Education, and Defence/Security, aiming to harden vital digital services against cyberattacks and outages, with support from the World Bank Digital Transformation Project and KPMG. Public Finance Tech Governance: The Ministry of Finance has completed final stakeholder consultations on a revised Public Financial Management Act, with plans to modernize fiscal oversight and better integrate digital financial management systems. Health & Data for Prevention: New global studies map lifetime colorectal and breast cancer risk across dozens of countries, highlighting how screening access and socioeconomic gaps shape who is most vulnerable. Work & Skills Online: A global Remitly study using LinkedIn listings finds remote work availability varies sharply across Africa, with Sierra Leone among the higher remote-vacancy markets. Workplace Malaria Support: A West Africa survey for World Mosquito Day reports 62% of respondents get no workplace malaria prevention support, urging employers to treat prevention as core risk management. Education Safety: University of Sierra Leone nursing and midwifery final-year students are told signing-out activities won’t be allowed on campus. Infrastructure Delivery Watch: A report questions the slow progress of the Siaka Stevens National Stadium rehabilitation, using it as a test of government project delivery capacity.

Cancer Risk Mapping: A new global analysis estimates lifetime colorectal cancer risk across 185 countries, highlighting big gaps tied to screening access and changing diets—Sierra Leone is among the places flagged for major nutritional gains if more local catch is retained. Breast Cancer Inequality: Another study maps lifetime breast cancer risk across 185 countries, stressing how life expectancy, screening, and treatment quality shape who is most vulnerable. Public Health & Work: A West Africa survey finds 62% of workers get no workplace malaria prevention support, urging employers to treat malaria protection as core risk management. Digital Finance: Sign and BNB Chain launch a “Sovereign Stablecoin Framework,” with Kyrgyzstan’s KGST token already live—separating blockchain settlement from local issuance and reserves. Remote Work Signals: A Remitly index using LinkedIn listings ranks Sierra Leone high for remote job ads (92.4%), while South Africa is lowest in Africa (17.6%). Sierra Leone Governance: The Ministry of Finance completes final consultations on a revised Public Financial Management Act, aiming to modernize treasury, oversight, and digital systems. Infrastructure Watch: Sierra Leone’s Siaka Stevens National Stadium rehab has dragged far past its original timeline, raising questions about delivery on major projects.

Energy & Infrastructure: UK firm MOPO plans to invest up to $75m in Nigeria by 2030 to scale solar battery charging hubs across West Africa, including Sierra Leone, and expand toward cabled electricity via MOPOGrid. Public Finance Reform: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Finance completes final consultations on a revised Public Financial Management Act, aiming to modernize treasury management and strengthen oversight, including digital systems. Health & Workplace Safety: A CAMA survey finds 62% of West African workers get no workplace malaria prevention support, urging employers to embed malaria protection into workplace health plans. Digital Security & Scams: Sierra Leone’s WhatsApp takeover scam shows how hackers can lock victims out and pressure contacts for money, highlighting the need for verification habits. Education Policy: University of Sierra Leone bans final-year nursing and midwifery “signing-out” activities on campus, without giving reasons. Maritime Tech Skills: IMO says seafarer assessment and certification must evolve with automation, digital tools, autonomous shipping and alternative fuels, with training including Sierra Leonean participants. Higher Education Access: Nigeria’s JAMB will send technical officers to support Sierra Leone’s move toward centralised university admissions and related digital reforms. Human Rights & Climate: HRCSL warns climate change is increasingly threatening rights to water, food, shelter, healthcare and livelihoods, based on field research in Moyamba and Kambia.

Energy Access & Solar Storage: UK firm MOPO plans up to $75m (£55m) to scale its “energy grid of the future” model, expanding solar battery rentals across Nigeria, DRC, Sierra Leone and more, and adding MOPOGrid for cabled electricity. Public Health at Work: A CAMA survey finds 62% of West African workers get no workplace malaria prevention support, including Sierra Leone—highlighting a gap between awareness and employer action. Public Finance Reform: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Finance completes final consultations on a revised Public Financial Management Act to modernize treasury management, oversight and digital financial systems. Campus Policy: University of Sierra Leone nursing and midwifery final-year students are told signing-out activities won’t be allowed on campus. Infrastructure Pipeline: U.S. Ambassador-designate Daniel Travis says Sierra Leone has an agreement with Acrow Corporation to build the Lungi Bridge, linking Freetown to the airport. Higher Education Tech: MTHE pushes reforms as universities sign performance contracts, including centralised admissions, secure certificates and digital fee payments via WanGov. Digital Safety: Sierra Leone’s WhatsApp takeover scam shows how hackers can lock victims out and demand money from contacts. Human Rights & Climate: HRCSL warns climate change is increasingly threatening rights in Moyamba and Kambia, stressing stronger integration into national policy. Agriculture Data Drones: MAFS concludes drone training to improve field data collection and mapping for monitoring and evaluation in Sierra Leone’s food system work.

Digital Safety: Orange Sierra Leone rolled out a new 505# Scam Alert tool to help subscribers verify suspicious messages and report mobile money fraud. Health Tech & Care: MSF donated a multi-patient oxygen generator to the Julius Maada Bio Paediatric Centre of Excellence in Sierra Leone, boosting emergency oxygen capacity for critically ill children. Education & Data Systems: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Technical and Higher Education is pushing higher-education reforms as universities sign performance contracts, including centralised admissions, secure certificate production, and digital fee payments via WanGov. Water & Infrastructure Planning: Government outlined a 10-year WASH programme needing about US$7bn, with an initial US$180m World Bank-backed phase and plans to strengthen institutions, financing, and technical capacity. Maritime Skills for Automation: An IMO workshop in the region stressed that seafarer assessment and certification must evolve for automation, digital tech, autonomous shipping, and alternative fuels. Cybercrime Warning: A WhatsApp takeover scam in Sierra Leone shows how hackers can lock victims out and pressure contacts for money. Human Rights & Climate: HRCSL warned climate change is increasingly threatening rights to water, food, shelter, healthcare, and livelihoods, based on field research in Moyamba and Kambia. Agriculture Drones: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Agriculture trained officers on drone-based data collection and mapping to improve monitoring and decision-making for smallholder farmers.

Transport & Infrastructure: The U.S. Ambassador-designate says Sierra Leone has agreed with Acrow Corporation to build the Lungi Bridge, aiming to link Freetown directly to the airport area and cut reliance on water transport, though key details like financing and timelines are not yet officially confirmed. Human Rights & Climate: HRCSL warns climate change is increasingly threatening rights to water, food, shelter, healthcare and livelihoods after field research in Moyamba and Kambia, urging stronger integration of climate action into national policy. Digital Security: Orange Sierra Leone rolls out a Scam Alert tool, letting subscribers verify suspected fraud and report scams via *505#, its portal, or by calling 111. Education Tech & Admissions: Sierra Leone’s higher education reforms move forward as MTHE pushes performance contracts, including centralised admissions, secure local certificate production and digital fee payments via WanGov; meanwhile Nigeria’s JAMB plans to support Sierra Leone’s centralised admissions system with technical officers for 12 months. Agriculture Data Drones: MAFS completes drone training for monitoring and evaluation and communications officers to improve field data collection and mapping for smallholder decision-making. Health Systems & Tech Transfer: Sierra Leone-linked regional health tech momentum continues with Ghana launching a public health emergency operations centre framework and hosting a China-West Africa medical and health expo focused on AI in healthcare and technology transfer. Mobile Money Fraud & Governance: Sierra Leone’s government also outlines a national roadmap to combat mobile money fraud, alongside efforts to digitise systems for accountability.

Cybercrime in Sierra Leone: A WhatsApp takeover scam is costing users money and trust, with hackers sending “send Le5,000” messages from hijacked numbers and victims fearing they may never safely use old contacts again. Higher Education Tech Reforms: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Technical and Higher Education is pushing performance contracts with universities, targeting centralised admissions, secure local certificate production, and digital fee payments via WanGov. Digital Commerce Regulation: Sierra Leone is moving to close a seven-year legal gap for electronic transactions, aiming to strengthen rules and enforcement for businesses, consumers, and investors as mobile money grows. WASH Investment Plan: Government outlines a 10-year water, sanitation and hygiene programme needing about US$7 billion, with early support from a World Bank-funded phased project. Agriculture Data Drones: The Ministry of Agriculture trained monitoring and evaluation and communications officers on drone-based field data collection to improve mapping and decision-making for smallholder farmers. Media Safeguarding: Women in the Media Sierra Leone calls for stronger safeguarding and accountability to protect journalists from harassment and exploitation. Scam Alerts: Orange Sierra Leone launches a mobile anti-fraud scam alert tool via *505# and customer care 111.

Digital Agriculture: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) wrapped a week-long drone training for Monitoring and Evaluation, Communications, and Integrated Landscape staff to improve field data collection, mapping, and decision-making for smallholder farmers. Media & Tech Cooperation: Information Minister Chernor Bah urged stronger Africa–China collaboration in radio, TV, and audiovisual sectors, stressing digital tools, credible information, and tech-enabled storytelling. Higher Education Reforms: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) pushed performance contracts with universities, focusing on centralised admissions, secure certificate production, digital payments, and stronger research-industry links. Digital Commerce Rules: Sierra Leone moved to close a seven-year regulatory gap affecting electronic transactions, aiming to turn the Electronic Transactions Act into workable rules for businesses, consumers, and investors. Anti-Fraud for Mobile Money: Orange Sierra Leone launched a Scam Alert tool (*505# / 111) to help customers verify suspicious activity and report mobile money fraud. Health Tech Support: MSF donated a multi-patient oxygen generator to the Julius Maada Bio Paediatric Centre to boost emergency oxygen capacity and simplify maintenance. Entrepreneurship Push: Sierra Leone marked World Entrepreneurship Day with programmes training SMEs to go online and strengthening trainers for MSMEs nationwide.

Drone Training for Agriculture Data: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security wrapped a week-long drone skills course for Monitoring and Evaluation, Communications, and Integrated Landscape staff, aiming for faster, more accurate field mapping to guide smallholder decisions. Media Tech Cooperation: Information Minister Chernor Bah urged stronger Africa–China collaboration in radio, TV and audiovisual work, stressing credible institutions and responsible use of emerging tech and AI. Digital Fraud Shield: Orange Sierra Leone rolled out a Scam Alert tool, letting subscribers verify suspected scams via *505#, the official portal, or by calling 111. Higher Education Reforms: The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education convened university leaders to sign performance contracts covering centralised admissions, secure local certificate production, digital payments, and stronger research-industry links. Digital Commerce Regulation Push: Sierra Leone moved to close a seven-year legal gap affecting electronic transactions, with a public-private dialogue to turn older laws into enforceable rules. Entrepreneurship Boost: Sierra Leone marked World Entrepreneurship Day with programmes like the 100 SME Online training and training-of-trainers support to help businesses grow in the digital economy. Health Tech Regional Links: China–West Africa health and AI expo opened in Ghana, highlighting technology transfer, AI in healthcare, and local capacity building. Scholarships Abroad: 26 Sierra Leoneans were selected for the 2026/27 Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship to study in Hungary.