Nigeria, Sierra Leone Seal Digital Economy Pact as Tijani Leads Landmark Trade Mission

Nigeria, Sierra Leone Seal Digital Economy Pact as Tijani Leads Landmark Trade Mission

By Gloria Sarauniya Usman

ABUJA, NIGERIA November, 2025 - Nigeria and Sierra Leone have formalised a new era of digital cooperation following a high-level bilateral trade mission led by Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani. The two-day engagement in Freetown concluded with the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to advance collaboration in digital public infrastructure, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, youth innovation and cross-border digital trade.

Hosted by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communication, Technology & Innovation, Hon. Salima Monorma Bah, the mission featured ministerial meetings, ecosystem tours, press engagements and technical sessions focused on expanding regional digital integration. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to building a more resilient and inclusive West African digital economy through coordinated policies and shared innovation.

The Governments of Nigeria and Sierra Leone sealed agreements covering digital public infrastructure, AI and emerging technologies, broadband expansion, digital skills development and spectrum management. Several private-sector MoUs were also signed between Nigerian and Sierra Leonean technology companies to expand digital services, deepen fintech and edtech solutions, and drive joint innovation initiatives.

Dr. Tijani described the partnership as a strategic step toward a harmonised African digital landscape, emphasising that Nigeria is committed to enabling “secure, innovative and interconnected digital ecosystems across the continent.” Hon. Bah noted that the collaboration would accelerate Sierra Leone’s digital transformation and strengthen ties between both nations.

The Nigerian delegation comprised heads of key digital economy agencies, including NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; Galaxy Backbone MD/CEO, Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju; NCAIR National Coordinator, Dr. Olubunmi Ajala; and ONDI National Coordinator, Victoria Fabunmi, alongside leading Nigerian tech companies participating in B2B engagements to stimulate investment and technology exchange.