Freetown: Africell Sierra Leone has reinforced its commitment to advancing digital innovation and youth empowerment through its partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the University of Sierra Leone in the establishment of UniPod Sierra Leone, an innovation hub aimed at nurturing young entrepreneurs, innovators, and researchers.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the facility was officially launched on 9 July 2026 at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, Mount Aureol. It is designed to provide young Sierra Leoneans with the tools, technology, and mentorship needed to transform innovative ideas into commercially viable solutions capable of addressing national development challenges.
At the launch, Chief Minister Dr. David Sengeh described the UniPod as more than a physical structure, saying it represents a new way of thinking about innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving. He emphasized that Sierra Leone already possesses the t
alent and enabling policies needed for technological advancement, urging students, researchers, and entrepreneurs to maximize the opportunities provided by the hub while ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all.
The UniPod initiative was made possible through a partnership involving the Government of Sierra Leone, UNDP, the University of Sierra Leone, and Africell Sierra Leone, whose investment demonstrates the company’s continued support for education, digital transformation, and youth entrepreneurship. Martison Obeng-Agyei, Chief Executive Officer of Afrimoney, reaffirmed Africell’s commitment to helping young Sierra Leoneans unlock their potential through technology and innovation.
Obeng-Agyei announced that Africell will provide students with Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled identification cards for seamless digital access to the UniPod Centre and plans to expand high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity across sections of Fourah Bay College. He encouraged students to take full advantage of the facility
as a platform for transforming creativity into practical solutions and sustainable businesses.
Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, commended UNDP, Africell, and the University of Sierra Leone for their collaboration. She stated that the initiative supports the Government’s human capital development agenda by creating opportunities for students and researchers to apply knowledge in solving societal challenges. She also called for similar innovation centres to be established across the country.
UNDP Resident Representative Fredrick Ampiah highlighted the growing importance of innovation and creativity in driving economic development. He explained that the UniPod will provide training in digital skills, entrepreneurship, content creation, and technology development while supporting young innovators to build businesses capable of creating employment opportunities.
Deputy Vice Chancellor of Fourah Bay College, Professor Andrew Baio, described the UniPod as a national innovation
platform open to innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs from across Sierra Leone. Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation Salima Bah noted that the facility strengthens Sierra Leone’s growing innovation ecosystem and stressed the need to protect intellectual property generated through innovations.
The UniPod Sierra Leone is equipped with maker spaces, digital fabrication and prototyping laboratories, business incubation services, mentorship programmes, and technology transfer facilities to help young innovators transform ideas into viable enterprises. The launch concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a guided tour, and exhibitions showcasing innovations by Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs.