The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), in collaboration with Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) and the Resident Coordinator’s Office lead by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), on 19th November 2025 ended the Review Meeting of the Power of Data Initiative (PoD) Implementation Framework at the UNFPA Main Conference Hall, Signal Hill Road, Wilberforce in Freetown.
The Power of Data Initiative is part of the United Nations’ High Impact Initiative (HII) launched during the 2023 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Summit to accelerate data-driven decision-making and sustainable development in Sierra Leone. The initiative is jointly led by MoPED and Stats SL, with technical and financial support from UNFPA and contributions from other national and international partners.
The First Technical Review Meeting held on 7th October this year laid the groundwork for Sierra Leone’s PoD Country Framework by revising findings from the data ecosystem mapping institutional assessment
The Second Technical Review Meeting provided an opportunity to review and validate the final draft of the Power of Data Country Framework, including the proposed governance, coordination and implementation arrangements. Furthermore, participants set the stage for the national launch of the initiative and defined the next steps towards implementation.
Participants’ technical contributions provided invaluable inputs to ensure that the framework reflects the shared priorities of government, development partners, civil society, academia and the private sector.
The main objectives of the meeting were to review and validate the final draft of the Power of Data Country Framework and Launch Document for endorsement ahead of the national launch while the specific objectives included reviewing key updates made following the first Technical Review Meeting and validating the final Power of Data Country Framework, including proposed strategies and interventions, governance and coordination structures, implementation roadmap and costed action plan and institutional roles, partnerships and accountability mechanisms.
Other objectives are agreeing on next steps and milestones leading up to the official launch event and reaffirming institutional and partner commitments for implementation support.
The outcomes of the meeting were to endorse the final Power of Data Country Framework for presentation at the national launch, agree on priority actions for the initial implementation phase (Q4 2025 – Q1 2026), establish a timeline and division of responsibilities among partners and strengthen ownership and alignment with the National Data Strategy (2023–2028) and the Medium-Term National Development.
The meeting brought together approximately 30 participants including representatives from government institutions: MoPED, Stats SL, DSTI, MoF, NCRA, MoHS, MoE, NPHA and other relevant MDAs, UN agencies: UNFPA, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, FAO and others, development partners: World Bank, EU, GIZ, GPSDD and others, civil society, academia and private sector: Universities, research institutions, data innovators and CSOs working in data, digital governance and development.
Highlights of the meeting were the opening remarks by the MoPED, Stats-SL, UNFPA Deputy Country Representative, Framework Overview: Strategies and Interventions, Plenary Discussions, Governance, Coordination and Accountability and implementation Road Map.
At the end of the meeting, participants resolved to incorporate final feedback and produce the final Power of Data Country Framework and Launch Document, prepare the Launch Brief and Communication Materials as well as coordinate with the Office of the Minister of Planning and Economic Development on arrangements for the National Launch Event.
