Sierra Leone has announced the host of this year’s Innovates Tech Summit scheduled for June 11-13, 2024, at the Bintumani Conference Centre in Freetown.
Minister of Communications, Technology and Innovation, Salima Monorma Bah said the purpose of the Summit is to gather innovators and stakeholders and global tech giants in the tech ecosystem to advance innovation in Sierra Leone, and showcase Sierra Leonean talents.
Salima highlighted the lack of monetisation tools for content creators and indicated that the Tech Summit would address these challenges with expert discussions and conclude with an Agriculture Innovation Challenge, inviting innovators to present solutions supporting the government’s Feed Salone program.
She said: “The Government is committed to fostering a culture of innovation. Our agenda is to create a dynamic platform for young people to showcase their talents, develop solutions and bring their creative ideas to fruition. This summit will serve as a catalyst for innovation, connecting young innovators with industry leaders and venture capitalists.”
The minister highlighted the importance of supporting innovation across multiple sectors, including agriculture, mining and transportation.
She said: “Innovation is not confined to technology alone. It spans across all sectors, from agricultural advancements to autonomous mining operations. It is essential that we provide an environment that nurtures and supports these innovations.
“One of the key challenges identified was the need for a supportive ecosystem that enables young innovators to thrive. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw young people invent vital equipment like ventilators.
“However, the environment must support these innovations to transition from ideas to market-ready products. We need to ensure that our innovators have access to the necessary resources, including finance, infrastructure and regulatory support.”
The Tech and Innovation Summit aims to address these challenges by bringing together innovators, industry leaders and venture capitalists. “The summit is not just a showcase event. It is a platform for meaningful conversations about how we can integrate innovative solutions into our national plans. We will discuss access to finance, regulatory reforms and the creation of a conducive environment for innovation,” she stated.
The Minister expressed optimism about the future of innovation in the country, stating: “Young people are at the forefront of innovation. They have the potential to transform our economy and improve lives. The upcoming summit will be a significant step towards realizing this potential by providing a platform for young innovators to shine and connect with the resources they need”.
