Nigeria and Sierra Leone Deepen Ties with New MoUs on Digital Innovation and Cross-Border Trade

Nigeria and Sierra Leone have concluded a high-level bilateral engagement in Freetown aimed at strengthening cooperation in digital economy development, technology innovation, and cross-border trade. The meeting brought together senior government officials from both countries, led by Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Salimah Bah, alongside key private-sector leaders.

During the discussions, both governments reaffirmed their commitment to deepening regional integration and accelerating the growth of a more inclusive, resilient, and innovation-driven West African economy. The two sides agreed to advance collaboration across several strategic areas, including digital public infrastructure, interoperable government systems, broadband expansion, cybersecurity, digital identity, artificial intelligence, data governance, digital literacy, and cross-border digital trade.

A major outcome of the meeting was the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the two governments. These agreements establish structured cooperation on digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, talent development, digital skills, broadband infrastructure, and spectrum collaboration. Private-sector companies from both countries also formalised new partnerships aimed at expanding digital services, strengthening fintech, edtech, healthtech, govtech, and cloud solutions, driving joint innovation projects, and supporting startup exchange and enterprise growth. Both governments welcomed these MoUs as a significant step toward unlocking shared economic opportunities.

To ensure coordinated implementation, Nigeria and Sierra Leone agreed to establish a Joint Technical Working Group that will monitor progress, review ongoing initiatives, and recommend future areas of collaboration. The Working Group will provide periodic updates directly to both ministers.

Reaffirming their shared vision, the two governments emphasised that the prosperity of West Africa depends on deeper cooperation, freer movement of innovation, and stronger cross-border partnerships. They noted that the ties uniting the sub-region are far stronger than the borders that divide it and expressed confidence that a distributed innovation system will generate new pathways for growth.

Both sides concluded the engagement by expressing appreciation for the constructive dialogue and spirit of partnership. Nigeria acknowledged Sierra Leone’s warm hospitality and support throughout the visit, while Sierra Leone commended Nigeria’s leadership role in driving digital transformation across the region.