Digital Futures Sierra Leone strengthens community access to ICT training while supporting national efforts to bridge the digital divide.
Makeni, Sierra Leone | October 29, 2026
What began in July 2025 as a grassroots response to the digital divide in rural Bombali District has grown into an important youth empowerment initiative. Through Digital Futures Sierra Leone (DFSL), Bright Light Projects Sierra Leone (BLPSL) is helping young people, students, and teachers acquire practical computer skills essential for education, employment, entrepreneurship, and participation in today’s digital economy.
The initiative emerged when Mohamed Conteh, DFSL Program Lead, identified challenges facing rural schools where computers were available but opportunities for practical ICT instruction remained limited. The pioneering Free Computer Training initiative began in Kamabai in 2025 and subsequently reached 88 teachers and students across three schools in Bombali District. Building on this foundation, BLPSL expanded training to Makeni in 2026, reaching 20 participants in its April cohort and enrolling 131 participants in its August cohort. These successive training cycles demonstrate both the program’s potential and the substantial community demand for accessible digital education.
Supporting Sierra Leone’s National Digital Transformation
DFSL complements the Government of Sierra Leone’s efforts to expand digital literacy and strengthen technology-enabled education. Sierra Leone’s National Digital Learning Strategy 2025–2030 emphasizes improving connectivity, access to computers, digital capabilities, and educational content, particularly for underserved learners.
Working at the regional level, BLPSL has engaged with representatives of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education in Bombali District, helping connect community-based ICT training with broader national educational priorities. Through practical instruction in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet use, email, and computer fundamentals, DFSL seeks to translate national digital ambitions into meaningful learning opportunities for young people in northern Sierra Leone.
The program also reflects the importance of developing accessible, community-based digital learning hubs that can reach populations beyond major urban centers. Such hubs could provide practical training, support teachers, improve youth employability, and create pathways toward entrepreneurship and more advanced digital skills.
Taking the Digital Literacy Conversation to the Airwaves
On October 29, 2026, Mohamed Conteh was invited to Amzas Radio 96.9 FM in Makeni to discuss DFSL’s achievements, challenges, and growing relevance to community development. During the broadcast, he highlighted the importance of practical computer education and encouraged participants to apply their newly acquired skills to education, business, employment, and personal development.
The engagement provided an opportunity to reflect on the program’s journey from its rural beginnings in Kamabai to its expanding presence in Makeni, while drawing public attention to the continuing need for accessible ICT education.
The Next Frontier: Scaling Digital Opportunities
Despite growing demand, limited computers, unreliable electricity, connectivity challenges, and financial constraints continue to restrict DFSL’s capacity to serve more learners. The program’s experience also underscores the need to ensure financial barriers do not exclude vulnerable young people from essential digital education.
BLP envisions expanding DFSL through community-based digital learning hubs across underserved districts, supported by partnerships with government institutions, technology companies, development organizations, and philanthropic foundations. These hubs could offer affordable, subsidized training; strengthen schools’ ICT capabilities; support digital entrepreneurship; and equip young people with skills relevant to Sierra Leone’s evolving economy.
For Bright Light Projects, digital inclusion is about more than providing computers. It is about ensuring that young people, regardless of geography or economic circumstances, have the knowledge, confidence, and opportunity to participate in the digital future.
BLP extends its appreciation to Amzas Radio 96.9 FM, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education’s regional representatives, participating schools, instructors, and community partners who continue to support this growing initiative.
Digital Futures Sierra Leone — Skills Today. Opportunities Tomorrow.
An initiative of Bright Light Projects Sierra Leone.
