By Hassan Osman Kargbo
At the official opening of Day 2 of the 2025 SL Innovates: Digital Government Summit, held on Thursday, June 5 at the Bintumani International Conference Center in Aberdeen, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh highlighted the government’s commitment to expanding digital infrastructure and job creation, especially for young people.
Addressing a diverse audience of students, tech professionals, policymakers, and development partners, Vice President Jalloh revealed that the government continues to build a robust digital ecosystem across Sierra Leone. “We continue to build the digital ecosystem, infrastructure that stretches across this country, increasing access to mobile services and data. That infrastructure becomes the backbone to help you develop your skills and access jobs,” he said.
He emphasized that one of the five game changers in President Julius Maada Bio’s second term manifesto is infrastructure, with a specific focus on digital expansion. According to the Vice President, this strategy is directly linked to youth empowerment and national development goals.
Highlighting the scale of the government’s ambitions, Vice President Jalloh announced that 75,000 jobs are expected to be created within the tech ecosystem as a result of the Tech Summit and related initiatives. This is part of the broader commitment by President Bio’s administration to generate 500,000 jobs during his second term in office.
“This summit is an essential pathway to achieving that job creation,” Jalloh stated. He urged young people to seize the opportunity to engage with industry leaders and explore employment prospects emerging from Sierra Leone’s evolving digital landscape.
The Vice President also reflected on his office’s leadership in empowering youth through innovation. Since 2018, he explained, the Office of the Vice President has spearheaded a National Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Forum. This platform was created to prepare young Sierra Leoneans for the job market using a variety of models.
“One such model involves direct training to increase competitiveness in the job market,” Jalloh explained. “Another is engaging employers across the country to see the vast talent that exists among our young people.”
In a move to maximize impact, the Vice President announced that the Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Forum is now being integrated with the Tech Summit. This merger is designed to open new doors for students and aspiring tech professionals, particularly those studying innovation, technology, and digital education.
“Today, we are combining that with the Tech Summit to create opportunities for young people in the tech industry,” he said. “We are bringing students, innovators, and employers into one space to spark partnerships that lead to employment.”
Jalloh underlined the importance of creating digital access as a gateway to opportunity. He reiterated the government’s determination to extend mobile and data services to underserved communities, ensuring that no region is left behind in the digital revolution.
The Vice President also called on development partners, educational institutions, and private sector stakeholders to align with the government’s digital transformation agenda. He emphasized that inclusive collaboration is critical to achieving meaningful and lasting progress.
The SL Innovates: Digital Government Summit 2025 serves as a national platform for fostering innovation, showcasing digital government solutions, and forging partnerships to advance Sierra Leone’s digital agenda. The summit continues to attract participation from both local and international tech leaders, as well as aspiring entrepreneurs and students.
In closing, Vice President Jalloh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a digital future that empowers youth, boosts employment, and accelerates national development. “We believe in the potential of our young people, and through innovation and technology, we are building a future where they can thrive,” he concluded.
The event continues over the weekend, with breakout sessions, exhibitions, and workshops focused on key areas such as digital education, fintech, e-governance, and startup support.
