Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sierra Leone’s Digital Economy Bilateral Trade Mission to deepen cooperation on public digital infrastructure.
The Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Isime Esene, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Esene said the MoU would also cover digital trade, cybersecurity, youth innovation, and technology transfer. It is expected to establish structured cooperation on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, talent development, digital skills, broadband expansion and spectrum collaboration.
He said the agreement was signed during a two-day Regional Summit on Digital Transformation held in the Benin Republic, aimed at reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership in shaping West Africa’s digital future.
According to him, the mission featured ecosystem hub tours, press engagements, technical sessions and government-to-government deliberations hosted by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Salima Bah.
“The mission’s emphasis on private-sector collaboration was demonstrated by the participation of leading Nigerian technology companies, including IHS Towers, Flutterwave, CcHUB, Miden and Cybervergent.
“Others were Prunedge, Itana and Awarri, whose participation highlighted Nigeria’s innovation capacity and commitment to fostering regional investment flows,” he said.
Esene said the Nigerian companies engaged their Sierra Leonean counterparts in structured business-to-business sessions aimed at stimulating cross-border partnerships, digital infrastructure development and knowledge exchange.
He added that discussions focused on digital trade coordination, cybersecurity collaboration, skills development and AI innovation, reflecting the shared ambition of both countries to accelerate regional digital integration.
Both countries, he said, reaffirmed their commitment to expanding digital infrastructure and building a more innovative, resilient and inclusive West African digital economy.
“Specific areas of discussion included digital public infrastructure, interoperable government systems, broadband expansion, resilient connectivity, digital identity, cybersecurity and data governance.
“Others were AI development and responsible innovation, digital literacy, talent development, institutional capacity building, cross-border digital trade and private-sector partnerships,” he said.
Esene added that companies from both countries also signed additional MoUs to expand digital services across markets.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said Nigeria remained committed to fostering a more harmonized, secure and innovative digital region.
Tijani described the partnership as part of a broader vision to ensure that technology, talent and trade flow seamlessly across the continent.
“Together, we are laying the foundations for a digital economy that empowers our young people and creates shared prosperity,” he said.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation welcomed the partnership, noting its potential to accelerate her country’s digital transformation. She stressed the need for both nations to build on their relationship and shared history to advance Africa’s digital progress.
The Nigerian delegation led by Tijani included the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone (GBB) Ltd., Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju; National Coordinator, National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), Dr Olubunmi Ajala; and National Coordinator, Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), Victoria Fabunmi.
