Freetown’s Future is Digital: Mayor Aki-Sawyerr Champions Tech Skills to Combat Youth Joblessness
- Grace Bangura
- Jul 7
- 1 min read
Freetown City Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has issued a powerful call for a surge in digital skills investment, identifying technology as the primary engine to solve youth unemployment and unlock new entrepreneurial frontiers for the city’s next generation.
Delivering a spirited keynote address at the 2026 matriculation ceremony for the College of Digital Excellence (CODE) on Friday, the Mayor emphasized that equipping young people with tech-driven capabilities is no longer optional but a necessity in a globalized economy.
"The digital economy is among the fastest-growing sectors worldwide,"
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr noted, highlighting its unique potential for job creation and self-employment. With approximately 70% of Freetown’s residents under the age of 35, she stressed that the city's prosperity hinges on bridging the digital divide.
Addressing the 350 newly matriculated students, the Mayor urged them to match their technical training with the "four pillars of success": discipline, hard work, integrity, and perseverance.
The drive for digital literacy is a cornerstone of the Freetown City Council’s #TransformFreetown initiative. By fostering innovation and education, the Mayor aims to enhance local livelihoods and transform the capital into a competitive, opportunity-driven hub within Sierra Leone’s evolving economic landscape.
The event concluded with a sense of optimism, bringing together educators and stakeholders to celebrate the beginning of a transformative academic journey for the new intake at CODE.
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