Tijani Leads Tech Delegation to Boost West Africa’s Digital Integration

Tijani Leads Tech Delegation to Boost West Africa’s Digital Integration

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, has led a high-level Nigerian delegation to Sierra Leone to deepen regional cooperation in digital technology, resulting in the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening collaboration in digital trade, cybersecurity, talent development and emerging technologies.

The Nigeria–Sierra Leone Digital Economy Bilateral Trade Mission, which followed Tijani’s participation in the Regional Summit on Digital Transformation in Benin Republic, featured government-to-government meetings, ecosystem hub tours, technical sessions and media engagements. Discussions centred on expanding digital public infrastructure, broadband connectivity, artificial intelligence (AI) development and youth innovation across West Africa.

Speaking during the mission, Dr. Tijani said Nigeria remained committed to building a more integrated and innovation-driven region.

“Nigeria is fully committed to enabling a more harmonised, secure and innovative digital region,” he said. “Our partnership with Sierra Leone is part of a broader vision to ensure technology, talent and trade flow seamlessly across our continent. Together, we are laying foundations for a digital economy that empowers our young people and creates shared prosperity.”

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Salima Monorma Bah, applauded the collaboration, noting its potential to accelerate her country’s digital advancement.
“We must leverage our shared history and collaboration to fast-track the continent’s digital economy,” she said.

The mission produced several MoUs covering digital public infrastructure, AI and emerging technologies, digital skills development and broadband expansion.

Major private-sector players—including Flutterwave, IHS Towers, CcHUB, Miden, Cybervergent, Prunedge, Itana and Awarri—also signed agreements to expand digital services and strengthen fintech, edtech, healthtech, govtech and cloud solutions, while supporting startup exchange and enterprise growth.