… President Bio praises Dr. Sengeh.
President Bio and Dr. Sengeh
At the 2025 Digital Innovation Summit, held at the Bintumani Conference Centre in Freetown, President Julius Maada Bio praised Dr. David Sengeh, Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister and the country’s first Chief Innovation Officer. The President emphasised how important Dr. Sengeh is to the advancement of technology and innovation in Sierra Leone.
During his interactive session at the summit, President Bio referred to Dr. Sengeh as an ambassador for change in Sierra Leone and thanked him for his commitment to serving the nation. He described how they first met while Dr. Sengeh was employed at IBM. “I encouraged Dr. David Sengeh, who was working at IBM when I first met him, to go back to Sierra Leone and help his people. At first, he wanted to remain at IBM because he was happy there. “After our discussions, he agreed to return home and serve both me and the people of Sierra Leone,” President Bio said to the audience, which included several cabinet members, adding that he was impressed with the notion that the nation needed someone like him—a positive change ambassador.
As the nation’s first Chief Innovation Officer, Dr. Sengeh has had a revolutionary impact. He was a key figure in the creation of Sierra Leone’s National Innovation and Digital Strategy (2019–2029) while serving as the head of the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI). To guarantee sustainable development, the nation’s investments, policies, and governance structures are guided by this ten-year plan. To accomplish the goals outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Agenda 2063 of the African Union, and Sierra Leone’s National Development Plan, the National Innovation and Digital Strategy aims to leverage innovation, science, and technology.
Before taking office on July 10, 2023, as Chief Minister, Dr. Sengeh served as the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education. Previously, he worked in Africa for IBM, where he created data-driven healthcare solutions. He developed healthcare technologies specific to the African context while working on projects at IBM Research in Nairobi and Johannesburg.
Dr. Sengeh commended President Bio’s visionary leadership during the summit. He recalled how the President’s call five years ago for the government to embrace innovation and bold thinking led to the creation of the DSTI. That vision led to the creation of the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation. It gives me great pleasure to present to you today the progress we have made under your guidance,” Dr. Sengeh stated.
He went on to provide an overview of the government’s achievements in the three strategic innovation pillars of digital governance, digital identity, and the digital economy.”Our government now uses data to guide decisions in critical areas like health and education. “None of this progress would have been possible without your unwavering dedication to technology and innovation,” he said. President Bio expressed his appreciation for the variety of presentations and demonstrations on display during an interactive summit session.
He emphasised the value of investing in youth to build a better future for the coming generation and stated his wish to be known as a champion of human capital development.”We are here to support young people, and we are influencing our kids’ futures. According to the President, “I am deeply inspired by what I’ve seen today,”
Highlighting Sierra Leone’s advancements in digital innovation and governance—which are the result of cooperation between the government, development partners, and citizens—was made possible by the summit. As Dr. Sengeh and President Bio continue to work together, their commitment to harnessing technology for national development promises a brighter future for Sierra Leone.
