Freetown, June 11, 2024 — Africell Sierra Leone – Africell SL Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation, marking its commitment to develop a Data Centre in Bo, Tikonko Chiefdom. This initiative positions Africell SL Ltd. as the first company to support the Tech City Project in Sierra Leone.
The MoU signing occurred during the 2024 Sierra Leone Innovates Tech Summit at the Bintumani International Conference Center in Freetown. The event drew over 3,000 delegates, featured more than 50 panelists, and included participants from 10 sectors across the four Mano River Union countries.
Under the agreement, Africell SL Ltd. will undertake the construction, development, and operation of a Data Centre within the Tech and Innovation City in Tikonko Chiefdom. This project signifies Africell SL Ltd.’s dedication to supporting technological advancements in Sierra Leone.
Africell SL Ltd.’s Managing Director, Mr. Shadi Gerjawi, emphasized the significance of the Tech Summit, stating, “The whole idea about the Tech Summit is to bring tech people together so that they can share knowledge. We are always working towards finding tech innovators, reaching out, and forming synergies with them. It’s good that the government has brought all of them into one place where we can now discuss the future”.
Minister of Communications, Technology, and Innovation, Salima Monorma Bah, highlighted the summit’s role in addressing the lack of monetization tools for content creators. She noted that expert discussions at the summit would conclude with an Agriculture Innovation Challenge, inviting innovators to present solutions in support of the government’s ‘Feed Salone’ programme.
“The Government is committed to fostering a culture of innovation,” Minister Bah stated. “Our agenda is to create a dynamic platform for young people to showcase their talents, develop solutions, and bring their creative ideas to fruition.” She emphasized the importance of supporting innovation across multiple sectors, including agriculture, mining, and transportation.
