By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Sierra Leone has launched a
national dialogue on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and digital identity
as the country moves to translate a recent international partnership into
practical steps towards building a secure and inclusive digital ecosystem.
The Public-Private Sector
Dialogue Forum, convened by the Ministry of Communication, Technology and
Innovation (MoCTI), brought together representatives from government
institutions, private sector organisations, financial institutions, academia,
civil society, and development partners to discuss the future of trusted
digital identity in Sierra Leone.
The forum follows the
signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in June 2026 between MoCTI,
Bhutan National Digital Identity (Bhutan NDI), and the SIGN Foundation. The
partnership is aimed at supporting the development of a national digital
identity ecosystem based on open-source technology, verifiable credentials, and
global standards for privacy, security, and data sovereignty.
Discussions focused on
strengthening the key foundations of Digital Public Infrastructure, including
trusted digital identity, secure digital payments, and interoperable data
exchange.
The initiative is expected
to provide the foundation for improved access to digital services, enable
businesses to develop innovative solutions, and enhance the efficiency of
government service delivery.
The Ministry said the
dialogue marks the beginning of a coordinated national effort to establish the
policies, governance structures, and technical frameworks required to build a
trusted and inclusive digital identity ecosystem.
