AYV News, June 22, 2026
Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr. David MoininaSengeh, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation to improve the lives of citizens and accelerate national development.
In a recent statement, Dr. Sengeh emphasised the transformative potential of AI in addressing key development challenges, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare. Describing himself as “an engineer, a coder and a leader,” he said his priority is to ensure that Sierra Leone utilizes emerging technologies to expand access to quality public services for all citizens.
According to the Chief Minister, the concept of AI sovereignty goes beyond technological advancement and is fundamentally about empowering people. He noted that AI should be used as a tool to increase access to quality education and healthcare, particularly for underserved communities.
“AI sovereignty is about giving freedom to our people so they access quality education and healthcare,” Dr. Sengeh stated, adding that AI advancement must be guided by the principle of inclusion and aimed at reducing social and economic inequalities.
The Chief Minister also reflected on his professional background in technology, highlighting his experience at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and IBM, where he contributed to the development of digital and artificial intelligence systems designed to improve people’s lives.
He said those experiences continue to shape his vision for Sierra Leone’s digital transformation agenda, which seeks to harness innovation to improve service delivery, create opportunities for young people, and strengthen national development efforts.
Dr. Sengeh reiterated that the Government of Sierra Leone remains committed to embracing innovation, science, and technology as critical drivers of sustainable growth and socio-economic progress.
His remarks come amid growing global discussions on the role of artificial intelligence in development and the need for countries to adopt policies that ensure technological advancements benefit all segments of society.
