At the International Skills and Workforce Alliance 2025 (ISWA2025), Sierra Leone’s Minister of Youth Affairs Ibrahim Sannoh emerged as a compelling voice for a youth-led and ethically grounded digital transformation across Africa. Moderating a high-level session titled “Linking Industrial Skills Transformation with the Demographic Dividend and Inclusive Development,” Minister Sannoh used the platform to press for urgent action on responsible artificial intelligence (AI), stronger ties between academia and industry, and continent-wide collaboration in research and development.
Sannoh argued that AI must be governed by clear, principled guidelines if the continent hopes to harness the technology for inclusive growth rather than deepen existing inequalities. “Without guidelines, AI risks empowering only the empowered. With them, we can make AI a tool for inclusion, ethics, and opportunity,” he told delegates, stressing that ethical frameworks are not an optional add-on but a critical component of Africa’s digital and industrial future.
Beyond AI governance, the Minister highlighted the practical steps needed to translate the continent’s demographic advantage into sustainable development. He called for education reforms that better align curricula, apprenticeships, and applied research with industry needs, ensuring that young Africans acquire skills that are relevant to tomorrow’s jobs. For Sannoh, bridging the gap between universities and employers is essential so that graduates can step directly into roles in agriculture, digital finance, energy, manufacturing and other growth sectors.
A key theme of his remarks was the need for stronger pan African collaboration in research and development. Minister Sannoh urged nations to share knowledge and build R&D ecosystems that reflect Africa’s realities, enabling youth to innovate using data and insights grounded in local contexts. From the ISWA2025 summit floor, his rallying cry resonated: “Nothing for us, without us in Africa. What do we want to be remembered for? Africa should achieve self-sufficiency because, together we can!”
Sannoh also emphasised the importance of mindset and leadership among young people. “We need to work on the mind transformation. You have to be the change, you have to first change. And believe in the Africa We Want,” he said, framing youth empowerment as both a personal and collective responsibility.
His interventions at ISWA2025 place Sierra Leone at the heart of continental discussions on skills development, innovation and responsible technology. By advocating for policy shifts that marry education with industry needs and ethical AI frameworks, Minister Sannoh outlined a vision of a youthful, innovative Africa — one that leverages its human capital to build prosperity, self reliance and shared opportunity by mid century.
