Sierra Leone Publishes National AI Strategy with World Bank Diagnostic

Sierra Leone published its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, supported by an AI Readiness Diagnostic Report produced with the World Bank, giving the country a formal roadmap for AI adoption across government services and the broader economy.

Diagnostic-driven approach

The World Bank diagnostic assessed Sierra Leone's existing digital infrastructure, skills base and regulatory environment, identifying gaps the national strategy would need to address before AI adoption could scale meaningfully beyond pilot projects. Officials said grounding the strategy in an independent readiness assessment was intended to keep the roadmap realistic rather than aspirational.

Priority sectors

The strategy identifies priority sectors for early AI deployment, including public administration, agriculture and health, reflecting Sierra Leone's post-conflict development priorities and its relatively constrained digital infrastructure compared to larger regional economies.

Setting the stage

The strategy's publication set the stage for a series of follow-on engagements through 2026, including ministerial appearances at international forums and homegrown startup recognition, suggesting the government intended the document to anchor a sustained push rather than a one-off policy announcement.