Accra: Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, effectively represented Sierra Leone at the 18th Ministerial Round Table on Digital Education, Training and Skills Development, alongside the 19th eLearning Africa Conference, held in Accra, Ghana, from June 3rd to 5th, 2026. Co-hosted by eLearning Africa and the Government of Ghana, this year's gathering revolved around the theme 'Africa's Time, Africa's Terms: Learning for Sovereignty, Strength and Solidarity,' and explored strategies for developing digital education systems tailored to Africa's unique needs.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the conference attracted over 2,500 participants from 82 countries, including policymakers, university leaders, researchers, technology experts, innovators, and education practitioners. The Ministerial Round Table provided a platform for African ministers and senior officials to share experiences, strengthen partnerships, and formulate policy recommendations aimed at accelerating educational transformation across the continent.
Sierra Leone's participation reflected the growing international recognition of the country's commitment to educational development. The nation's investment in Free Quality School Education, ongoing digital reforms within higher education institutions, and leadership from President Julius Maada Bio-recently named a Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Champion for Sustainable Education Financing-were key reasons for participation.
In his keynote address during the opening session, titled 'Infrastructure and Finance for Digital Learning and Skills Development,' Deputy Minister Aziz-Kamara outlined Sierra Leone's measures for expanding digital transformation across universities and technical vocational education training (TVET) institutions. He emphasized that digital learning should be viewed as a pathway toward digital sovereignty, equitable access to education, national resilience, and workforce readiness. Digital transformation must equip young people with skills for emerging employment opportunities both within Sierra Leone and internationally.
The Deputy Minister advocated for the creation of dedicated digital investment funds and financing mechanisms across Africa to support infrastructure development, digital platforms, content creation, and continuous professional development for educators and administrators. Such investments would strengthen digital literacy, enhance preparedness for artificial intelligence, promote STEM education, and improve employment prospects for African youth within a competitive global economy.
Ghana's Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, addressed participants, calling for stronger collaboration among African countries to advance digital education and skills development. He encouraged governments and institutions to leverage partnerships, shared experiences, and international best practices in support of the African Union Agenda 2063, STISA 2034, and other global digital education frameworks. The conference also attracted notable international figures, including former UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, Stefania Giannini.
The closing plenary debate was a major highlight, challenging African nations to rethink and modernize education systems that better respond to labor market demands. Discussions centered on the need for skills-driven education models that create employment opportunities for young people while embracing emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence.