DSTI By Legislation Consultation Programs and Schedules

The Directorate of Science Technology and Innovation (DSTI) was set up and currently operates on a policy adopted by Cabinet in 2018. As stated by His Excellency the President Rtd. Brid. Julius Maada Bio, “Science and technology is the bedrock for the development of any modern economy. My Government is setting up a Directorate for Science, Technology, and Innovation to develop a framework for scientific research”. The operations of DSTI commenced with the recruitment of Sierra Leone’s 1^st Chief Innovation Officer Dr. David Sengeh and core staff members, who with the support of the Tony Blair Institute set out a roadmap for the operationalization of the Directorate. Its set up and functioning has since 2018 been midwife under the Office of the President through the Office of the Chief Minister. 

With a vision to use science, technology, and innovation to support the Government of  Sierra Leone to deliver effectively and efficiently on its national development plan; DSTI currently leads the process to transform Sierra Leone into an innovation and entrepreneurship hub. With a current staff strength of 54, the Directorate leads, supports, promotes facilitates, and assists in the creation of an environment that is conducive to:  

1. Ensuring interoperability and standards in the acquisition, designing, development, and deployment of digital and innovative systems and services across Ministries Departments and Agencies.   
2. Improved collaboration in data analytics, scientific and technological research and development between and amongst Government agencies, educational institutions, and research communities within and outside Sierra Leone;  
3. Developing digital technologies and data-driven innovation; and market openness in Sierra Leone’s digital business environments for purposes of transforming the ecosystem for entrepreneurship. 
4. Facilitating investment in pilot plans, processes, demonstration, and prototype development to enable rapid positive exploitation of technologies which are developed in the country. 

The crafting and adoption of the National Innovation and Digital Strategy (NIDS) a 10-year plan, seeks to promote digitization for all: economy, Identity, and Governance. That notwithstanding, a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework is required for the establishment of a robust public agency that would promote the implementation of an e-economy, e-governance, and related programs to enhance human capital and national development that will not be stifled if managed by a regulatory agency.