Author: gleanernewspaper

Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr David Moinina Sengeh, launched the Artificial Intelligence Forum at the World Governments Summit in Dubai in February 2026, using the platform to outline his country’s ambitious digital transformation agenda and advocate for an AI approach that prioritises equity and social justice. Speaking on behalf of a government that has prioritised technology in its development strategy, Dr Sengeh emphasised the importance of leveraging digitisation to improve everyday life for citizens across the country, not only to accelerate growth but also to reduce long-standing inequalities.Dr Sengeh explained that Sierra Leone’s drive to mainstream technology is rooted in…

Following a high-level meeting in Kingston on February 3, Jamaica and Sierra Leone have renewed their partnership, which will focus on youth leadership, cultural reconnection, and institutional resilience. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, and Nabeela Tunis, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, discussed coordinated plans for Global Tourism Resilience Day, as well as a broader cultural and capacity-building program aimed at strengthening ties between the Caribbean and West Africa.The ministers met at Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism in New Kingston to coordinate preparations for Global Tourism Resilience Day on February 17, 2026, and to advance shared initiatives aimed…

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) and the ECOWAS National Office in Freetown wrapped up a week-long district-level sensitisation campaign in Kambia, Kabala, Kono, and Magburaka from February 2–5, 2026. In order to increase public awareness of ECOWAS’s activities in Sierra Leone and the larger West African sub-region, the outreach was held at district council halls and the Dr Ernest Bai Koroma Hall in Magburaka Town.Throughout the visits, the delegation interacted with a variety of people from the community, including local government representatives, security personnel, educators, primary and secondary school students, civil society organisations, traders, commercial motorbike riders,…

Jamal and Daniel Shallop Netpage (SL) Limited, the company responsible for Sierra Leone’s e-passport system, has been accused of failing to pay royalties to the state and profiting from a questionable procurement process. Jamal Shallop, the company’s CEO, is of Lebanese descent. According to multiple audit reports and investigations by governance organisations, Netpage formed a joint venture with the Government of Sierra Leone and British printer Thomas De La Rue (DLR) to position Netpage as the local service provider and revenue collector, while DLR retained printing rights. The contract was signed in February 2013 with a ten-year term ending in December…

In September 2025, a small, mission-driven nonprofit founded by a Peace Corps volunteer celebrated its twentieth anniversary. The Washington-based Schools for Salone (SfS) has been expanding access to education in Sierra Leone since 2005. To date, SfS has built 47 schools, mostly in last-mile rural communities. A gathering of supporters came together at the Swedish Club in Seattle, marking two decades of service, impact, and friendship between Sierra Leoneans and Americans. Allison Sinning, who became Executive Director in January, succeeding SfS founder Cindy Nofziger, views the anniversary as both a time for celebration and reflection. “Schools for Salone’s founding mission…

Dr Sania Nishtar, Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, praised President Julius Maada Bio for his global leadership and unwavering commitment to immunisation during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2026 in Dubai on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Dr Nishtar thanked President Bio for his role in last year’s replenishment summit and announced that Gavi had raised $10 billion since the Brussels summit to support vaccine programs around the world.Dr Nishtar praised Sierra Leone for its commitment to vaccine equity, sustainable health financing, and bolstering immunisation systems, highlighting the nation as a regional…

Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Tuesday, 3 February 2026 – Shaikha Alnuwais, the newly elected Secretary-General of UN Tourism and the first woman to hold the post, met with Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit and committed strong institutional support for the development of Sierra Leone’s tourism sector. Alnuwais outlined her five strategic priorities for global tourism during a productive conversation between the two leaders: sustainable and responsible growth; digital transformation and data-driven tourism; economic inclusion and local empowerment; infrastructure, connectivity, and tourism enablers; and governance, transparency, and global trust.During the meeting…

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Musa Kabba and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau  On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Musa Kabba, met with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. The discussions, part of a broader diplomatic agenda for the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial hosted by the United States, focused on expanding economic ties, promoting shared prosperity, and strengthening cooperation to deter illegal migration.Deputy Secretary Landau described the meeting as “productive and forward-looking,” stating that he valued…

Dr David Moinina Sengeh, the chief minister of Sierra Leone, gave the opening remarks at the Artificial Intelligence Forum at the World Governments Summit 2026 in Dubai on February 3. He urged world leaders to prioritise values, ethics, and human dignity in the development and application of AI. Speaking before an audience of heads of state, policymakers, technologists and private-sector executives, Dr Sengeh argued that governments must look beyond AI as a mere technological tool and explicitly build in fairness, inclusion and social purpose. The Chief Minister cited specific developments that show how intentional public investment can increase opportunity, framing…

On February 2, 2026, Minister of Energy Cyril Arnold Grant formally introduced and welcomed George Taylor as the new Director General of the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), highlighting the importance of strong leadership as the utility prepares for major reform and an impending concession process.Minister Grant, speaking at the handover ceremony, stated that the appointment comes at an important time for EDSA. He praised Taylor’s credentials and professional background, mentioning that the Ministry thoroughly reviewed his record and was impressed with what it discovered. “George is here on the crest of a highly respected background,” the minister said,…