In a significant step toward advancing youth empowerment and economic cooperation, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, and the Commissioner of the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), Ambassador Ernest Ndomahina, paid a courtesy visit to the Director General of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Nigeria, Dr. Abdul B. Kamara, at the Bank’s Office in Abuja.
The high-level engagement was aimed at exploring opportunities for Sierra Leone to benefit from replicating the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) programme, a flagship youth employment and innovation initiative currently being implemented in Nigeria with AfDB support.
The i-DICE programme is a collaborative effort between the Federal Government of Nigeria, the AfDB and the Agnece France de Development and other partners. The innovative USD 638 million Program focuses on promoting digital and creative skills, entrepreneurship, access to finance, and innovation among young people. It aims to diversify the economy through investments in technology and the creative industries while generating sustainable employment.
Speaking during the meeting, Rosemond Offei-Awuku, AfDB’s Development Economist, noted the programme’s measurable impact and replicability.
“The initiative will already stimulating domestic investments while creating thousands of jobs for young women and men,” she said. “It is a scalable model that demonstrates how innovation and technology can drive inclusive and sustainable growth across Africa.”
Minister Swaray expressed strong interest in having a similar programme introduced in Sierra Leone, noting that the government under President Julius Maada Bio is committed to creating 500,000 jobs for youth in key growth sectors such as agriculture, technology, and innovation.
“We are here because we believe in partnerships,” Minister Swaray said. “We see the transformative potential of AfDB’s impactful work in Nigeria. Replicating such a programme in Sierra Leone would greatly support our national priorities on youth employment and entrepreneurship.”
In response, Dr. Abdul B. Kamara, who also hails from Sierra Leone, welcomed the proposal and expressed AfDB’s willingness to facilitate dialogue on potential areas of intervention in the country.
“We are excited about the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to youth development,” Dr. Kamara said. “Through our office in Sierra Leone, the Bank will continue to engage with the Ministry of Labour and Employment to identify ways to support these efforts.”
Also present at the meeting were senior AfDB officials, including *Bande Yassaya, *Operations Analyst Officer, who underscored the importance of regional collaboration in achieving sustainable development goals.
Representing the visiting delegation, Ambassador Ndomahina congratulated Dr. Kamara on his leadership role at the AfDB and thanked him and his team for offering a platform to discuss initiatives that can benefit Sierra Leone, especially its youth population.
Following the discussions, the delegation was given a tour of AfDB’s first purpose-built office on African soil, located in Abuja. Dr. Kamara described the building as “a symbol of Africa’s capacity to lead its own development.”
The meeting is seen as a stepping stone for greater regional cooperation and knowledge sharing among African nations. If implemented, a Sierra Leonean adaptation of the i-DICE programme could contribute significantly to reducing youth unemployment and fostering innovation-driven growth in the country.