Nigeria and Sierra Leone have signed a new bilateral agreement aimed at accelerating cooperation in digital economy development, trade integration and technology innovation across West Africa.
The announcement was made in Freetown following a high-level mission involving senior officials, industry leaders and policy experts from both countries, led by Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Mrs Salimah Bah.
Both leaders reaffirmed a shared commitment to building a digitally empowered sub-region anchored on innovation, inclusive growth and resilient infrastructure.
According to Mr Tinani, during the engagement, the two governments outlined priority areas where deeper cooperation is expected to transform public services, unlock investment and strengthen cross-border economic activity.
“We are building a resilient West African digital corridor that empowers young people, supports businesses, and strengthens our collective prosperity,” he wrote in a statement on X on Monday.
“More importantly, we are building a model for how Africa can win – by Building Together,” he added.
Some of the priorities include digital public infrastructure, broadband expansion, digital identity, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence adoption, talent development and digital trade.
A key milestone of the mission was the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). Government-to-government agreements covered collaboration on digital public infrastructure, emerging technologies, digital skills development, and spectrum and broadband planning.
The statement from the ministry also said private-sector players from both countries also signed partnership MoUs targeting growth in fintech, edtech, healthtech, cloud services and startup exchange programmes.
Mr Tijani noted that these agreements will serve as foundational pillars for shared economic advancement.
To support execution, both nations agreed to establish a Joint Technical Working Group that will oversee the implementation of the signed agreements, track progress and recommend additional areas of cooperation. The mechanism is expected to institutionalise collaboration and ensure continuity across administrations.
Both countries emphasised that West Africa’s prosperity relies on stronger integration, freer movement of innovation and sustained collaboration among neighbouring economies.
They also highlighted that collective digital transformation efforts will better position the region to compete globally.
Mr Tijani expressed gratitude for Sierra Leone’s hospitality, while Mrs Bah commended Nigeria’s leadership in shaping the region’s digital future.
The communiqué was officially issued by both governments, marking a significant step toward a more interconnected and innovation-driven West African digital economy.