The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in Sierra Leone has soft-launched WAKABOT, the country's first Artificial Intelligence-powered tourism chatbot and trip-planning platform. This launch is part of the activities marking World Tourism Day 2026, with the global theme being "Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism." The initiative aims to modernize tourism services through innovation and digital technology.
Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Tunis, delivered the keynote address at the launch event. She described WAKABOT as a practical example of how technology can be used responsibly to make Sierra Leone easier to discover, explore, and connect with the rest of the world while preserving the country's culture and renowned hospitality. The Minister noted that since taking office, she has championed a tourism agenda anchored on people, driven by the private sector, and strengthened by technology and data.
According to Minister Tunis, the Ministry has reached more than six million Sierra Leoneans through tourism promotion activities and has attracted significant private sector investment into the industry. The idea for WAKABOT emerged from discussions on AI-driven tourism during a high-level tourism forum in Saudi Arabia in 2025. This led to a partnership between the Ministry, UN Tourism, and Passporter Technologies to develop a digital travel solution for Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone is the first country in the Mano River Union to introduce such a tourism platform. The platform is expected to increase the visibility of local tourism businesses and communities. Minister Tunis also announced that the project will be implemented in two phases, with the first phase being the Trip Planner and AI chatbot launched during World Tourism Day 2026.
The second phase of the project will focus on content development and big data analytics to strengthen tourism marketing, policy planning, and sector performance measurement. The Minister emphasized that the platform would help showcase the nation's heritage, arts, music, cuisine, and cultural experiences to a wider global audience, especially during Sierra Leone's Year of Culture and Creativity.
The soft launch of WAKABOT marks a new chapter in Sierra Leone's tourism development, combining technology, culture, and creativity to enhance visitor experiences, support local businesses, and position the country as a competitive and accessible tourism destination. This development aligns with the Ministry's efforts to promote Sierra Leone as a tourist destination and to preserve its culture and hospitality.
The launch of WAKABOT is a significant step in the Ministry's drive to modernize tourism services through innovation and digital technology. The platform is expected to play a crucial role in promoting Sierra Leone's tourism industry and showcasing its cultural experiences to a global audience.
Key points
- The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in Sierra Leone has launched WAKABOT, an AI-powered tourism chatbot and trip-planning platform.
- The platform aims to modernize tourism services, promote local businesses, and showcase Sierra Leone's culture and hospitality.
- The project will be implemented in two phases, with the second phase focusing on content development and big data analytics.
