Sierra Leone Backs Universal Framework for Safer Digital Public Infrastructure

Sierra Leone has backed the Universal Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Safeguards Framework, supporting efforts to establish common standards for the safe and inclusive development of digital public systems.

Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Salima Monorma Bah, made the position during a high-level plenary at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York.

Speaking at the session, titled “From Commitment to Ownership: Advancing DPI with Safeguards,” Bah said challenges associated with digital public infrastructure are global and should be addressed through universal standards.

Sierra Leone is already working to integrate safeguards into its digital systems. The Ministry recently partnered with UNICEF to bring together 16 government ministries, financial institutions, academic institutions and civil society organisations to examine how digital systems affect children.

The exercise assessed digital services at different stages, from birth registration to employment, with participants identifying potential risks and safeguards.

The UNGA81 session focused on strengthening national ownership of digital public infrastructure, with participating countries and partners making new commitments and introducing a public tracker to monitor progress.

Sierra Leone said it supports the Universal DPI Safeguards Framework as a standard to guide the future development of its digital public systems.

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