DSTI, Limkokwing University Sign Two-Year MoU on Digital Skills Development

Sierra Leone’s Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and Limkokwing University of Creative Technology Sierra Leone have signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening digital skills development, innovation, and youth empowerment.

The partnership will focus on collaboration in technology, research, and innovation, while providing students with internships, mentorship programmes, innovation challenges, industry exposure, and joint research opportunities.

According to DSTI, the agreement builds on an existing relationship that has already enabled Limkokwing students and graduates to gain practical work experience within the government’s flagship technology agency.

The initiative comes as Sierra Leone continues to advance its digital transformation agenda under the Human Capital Development strategy, with DSTI playing a key role in digital governance, data-driven policymaking, and public sector innovation.

Despite these efforts, youth unemployment and limited access to practical, industry-relevant skills remain major challenges, with many graduates entering the job market without sufficient hands-on experience.

The new MoU is expected to help bridge this gap by equipping students with marketable digital and entrepreneurial skills.

Officials say the partnership will also support Sierra Leone’s ambition of building a knowledge-based economy by encouraging innovation, research, and home-grown technological solutions. It is further expected to prepare students for opportunities in the Fourth Industrial Revolution through closer links between academia and industry.

Through mentorship, innovation competitions, and workplace exposure, young people will have greater opportunities to transform ideas into viable careers and businesses.

Officials from both DSTI and Limkokwing University described the agreement as a shared commitment to investing in Sierra Leone’s youth, strengthening innovation, and developing a skilled workforce for the country’s digital future.