On the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Ibrahim Sannoh, delivered a powerful address at the Aspire Artemis Foundation High-Level Forum, championing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in bridging the global digital divide and creating opportunities for young people.
22 September 2025 , Speaking under the theme, Culture, Health, Trade and the Role of Artificial Intelligence: Bridging the Digital Divide through Collective Action Partnerships for Young People, Minister Sannoh highlighted Sierra Leone’s commitment to digital inclusion and emphasized the need for AI to empower rather than marginalize. AI should not widen inequalities; it must be harnessed to build a fairer, more inclusive digital future, where youth and women lead innovation,” he stated.
The forum convened students, young professionals, and global changemakers to discuss innovation, equity, and sustainable development. Minister Sannoh engaged in a strategic dialogue with Michael Sheldrick, Author and Co-Founder of Global Citizen, focusing on how advocacy, data, and youth-led innovation can accelerate poverty reduction and inclusive growth. The discussion explored avenues for collaboration between Sierra Leone and international networks to amplify youth voices and advance digital equity.
Later, the Minister joined the High-Power Africa Panel on Youth and Women Driving Digital Transformation, alongside prominent African leaders and innovators. Minister Sannoh spotlighted Sierra Leone’s investments in digital skills, entrepreneurship, and innovation, stressing that youth and women are central architects of Africa’s digital economy.
The forum concluded with a call to action: bridging the global digital divide requires bold leadership, strategic partnerships, and sustained investment in young people and women. Sierra Leone reaffirmed its belief that empowering its youth and female innovators is both a moral imperative and a strategic driver for sustainable growth, equity, and peace.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday, 26th September, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
