By Mackie M. Jalloh
Young innovators, entrepreneurs and researchers in Sierra Leone now have a new platform to transform ideas into market ready solutions following the launch of the UniPod Sierra Leone Innovation Hub at Fourah Bay College.
The facility, unveiled on 9 July 2026, is the result of a strategic partnership involving the Government of Sierra Leone, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the University of Sierra Leone and Africell Sierra Leone, with the telecommunications company playing a key role in supporting the country’s digital transformation agenda.
Designed to foster entrepreneurship and technological innovation, the centre offers access to modern digital infrastructure, business incubation, mentorship, prototyping laboratories and collaborative workspaces aimed at helping young people develop solutions to social and economic challenges.
Speaking during the launch, Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh said Sierra Leone’s greatest resource is its young population, stressing that innovation hubs such as UniPod provide an environment where creativity can be translated into practical solutions with national impact.
He encouraged students and innovators to make full use of the facility, adding that technological advancement must remain inclusive and accessible to all, including persons living with disabilities.
Representing Africell Chief Executive Officer Shadi Gerjawi, Afrimoney CEO Martison Obeng-Agyei reaffirmed the company’s commitment to investing in Sierra Leone’s digital future.
He announced that Africell will introduce Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled student identification cards, allowing seamless access to the innovation hub. He also disclosed plans to improve internet connectivity across sections of Fourah Bay College by expanding high-speed Wi-Fi coverage to support learning, research and innovation.
According to him, the investment reflects Africell’s broader vision of empowering young Sierra Leoneans with the technology, connectivity and opportunities needed to build competitive businesses and contribute to national development.
Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, described the innovation hub as an important addition to the country’s higher education sector. She noted that universities should evolve beyond traditional teaching institutions into centres where research, innovation and entrepreneurship drive economic growth.
She commended the collaboration between government, development partners and the private sector, saying the initiative aligns with Sierra Leone’s Human Capital Development agenda by equipping students with practical skills to solve real world problems.
UNDP Resident Representative Fredrick Ampiah said strengthening innovation ecosystems is essential for sustainable development, noting that the future of economic competitiveness increasingly depends on knowledge, technology and entrepreneurship rather than natural resources alone.
He explained that the facility will support training in digital technology, entrepreneurship, product development and creative industries while helping innovators commercialize their ideas and generate employment.
Deputy Vice Chancellor of Fourah Bay College, Professor Andrew Baio, said UniPod is intended to serve innovators across Sierra Leone, providing a collaborative space where ideas can be developed into practical products and services with national relevance.
Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation Salima Bah called for stronger collaboration between innovation hubs nationwide and emphasized the importance of protecting intellectual property generated through research and technological innovation.
Equipped with digital fabrication laboratories, maker spaces, business incubation programmes, mentorship opportunities and technology transfer services, the UniPod Centre is expected to become a catalyst for youth led innovation and enterprise development.
The launch concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, guided tours of the facility and exhibitions by local innovators, showcasing solutions developed by Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs and underscoring the growing partnership between government, academia, development partners and the private sector in advancing the country’s digital economy.
