The Directorate of Science Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and implement evidence-driven reforms for efficient public service delivery and to make Sierra Leone better for business and trade.

The MoU signed at the Ministry of Trade and Industry at Youyi Building in Freetown last week provides a framework of cooperation and collaboration for both institutions to improve Sierra Leone’s performance on the World Bank’s Doing Business Index. The Doing Business Index released annually compares quantitative indicators on business regulations and the protection of property rights across 190 economies. The index measures government regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it. 

Over the past decade, Sierra Leone’s Ease of Doing Business ranking averaged at 150, placing it amongst the worst performers in the world. When H. E. President Julius Maada Bio assumed office in May 2018, the EODB ranking for that year was where it is now at 163 of 190 countries. Committed to creating an effective and transparent business environment in Sierra Leone, H.E Bio launched the Ease of Doing Business initiative as an integrated and coordinated effort across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) engaged in service delivery. 

“When government institutions actively seek to share data, knowledge, capacity, and ideas- citizens win. This relationship will improve service delivery not just for the private sector but also for citizens seeking to access government services like payment of taxes or registering a company. These activities fall within the National Development Plan and the National Innovation and Digital Strategy. We seek to make Sierra Leone a favorable place for innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry,” said Dr. Moinina David Sengeh.

“Within our mandates, DSTI and MTI both represent essential ingredients to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. The Government of Sierra Leone also has the Office of the President Infrastructural Initiatives. All these show our commitment to achieving the SDGs. With MTI specifically, DSTI worked hand in hand to map entire business processes for improving service delivery. We have also developed trackers for holding champions and government officials accountable in this transformation process.” 

Although the MOU makes the partnership between DSTI and MTI official, both institutions have engaged in knowledge sharing, working to fine-tune regulations over the past 18 months.  Together they proffered policy changes to enable decision-makers to implement the necessary reforms to ensure all EODB interventions are sustainable. At the signing of the MoU, DSTI had completed the research-the first part of a three-phase Ease of Doing Business Reform Methodology. Data analysts produced end-to-end process maps for all Doing Business Indicators that reflect both user and administrative processes. 

“The resources and understanding of technology that DSTI has is one of the greatest treasures that DSTI is bringing to MTI and this collaboration will set the tone for business reform in Sierra Leone,” said Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy, Minister of Trade and Industry. 

DSTI supports MDAs with data and technology design to allow policymakers to make data-driven decisions to deliver on Sierra Leone’s national development plan. Since its inception, DSTI has built partnerships with local and international leaders on technology and innovation, including MIT, Statistics Sierra Leone, The Gates Foundation, eGovernance Academy, UNICEF Sierra Leone, and UNDP.