The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation (MoCTI), has formalised a strategic partnership with the SIGN Foundation to design and deploy a suite of blockchain-enabled national systems aimed at accelerating the country’s digital transformation. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two parties outlines a comprehensive programme to build sovereign digital infrastructure that promotes transparency, financial inclusion, and more efficient public service delivery.
The collaboration seeks to position Sierra Leone as a regional centre for emerging technologies, with special emphasis on Artificial Intelligence and blockchain applications. Under the terms of the agreement, the SIGN Foundation—a global digital infrastructure organisation—will take responsibility for leading the technical design and rollout of key components of the national system. These include a secure national digital identity platform, a citizen-facing digital wallet ecosystem, and an asset tokenisation framework to modernise how property and other assets are recorded and exchanged.
SIGN will bring technical expertise and mobilise investment support for implementation while partnering closely with Sierra Leonean organisations to foster skills transfer and build local capacity. The Foundation’s role also extends to advising on system architecture, security standards, and integration approaches tailored to Sierra Leone’s policy and institutional environment.
MoCTI will steer the initiative from a policy and regulatory perspective, ensuring the projects align with the country’s broader digital agenda and adhere to national priorities. Implementation activities and coordination will be anchored at Felei TechCity, the government’s innovation zone, which is designated as the local hub for deployment, training, and stakeholder engagement.
A notable feature of the MoU is a joint investment mobilisation plan. SIGN and a government-appointed body will co-manage project funds under governance mechanisms designed to guarantee transparency and accountability. Both organisations will work together to develop national policy frameworks for blockchain and digital assets, drawing from international best practices and lessons learned in other jurisdictions to ensure robust regulation and consumer protection.
To attract global expertise and investment, the Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of Sierra Leone in China will support efforts to connect the country’s projects with international investors, technical partners, and subject-matter experts. This international outreach is intended to broaden financing options and accelerate knowledge exchange.
A Strategic Implementation Roadmap included in the MoU sets out phased priorities for the programme. Early deliverables are focused on establishing a National Digital Identity Infrastructure, integrating Digital Wallet services for wider financial access, deploying Blockchain-enabled Payment Systems to streamline transactions, and building a Framework for Asset Tokenisation to unlock new opportunities for digital commerce and investment.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Hon. Salima Monorma Bah, Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, described the partnership as “a defining step toward building the digital backbone that will power Sierra Leone’s next phase of inclusive growth and technological leadership.” The agreement underscores the government’s determination to leverage technology to create jobs, expand economic opportunity, enhance public services, and construct a digital economy that benefits all citizens.
About MoCTI and SIGN Foundation
MoCTI leads Sierra Leone’s national ICT policy, innovation programmes, and initiatives designed to widen digital skills and economic participation, including projects centred on Felei TechCity and the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project. The SIGN Foundation specialises in helping governments build sovereign blockchain networks and public digital systems, with expertise spanning decentralised identity, digital payments, and distributed ledger technology.
