Sierra Leone's Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation Partners with Fire Force to Enhance Digital Capabilities

The Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the Sierra Leone Fire Force have formalized a partnership aimed at leveraging digital technology to enhance operational efficiency, information management, and emergency response. This collaboration follows initial discussions between the two institutions on August 24, 2026, where they explored ways technology could support the Fire Force in managing its operations and responding to emergencies more effectively.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on September 15, 2026, by DSTI Director and Chief Operating Officer, Jasper Patrick Sembie, and Chief Fire Officer, Nazir Kamanda Bongay. This MoU establishes a framework for sustained collaboration between the institutions, focusing on developing practical digital solutions to strengthen several operational areas. These areas include personnel management, asset and equipment tracking, fleet and logistics management, incident reporting, inspections, and emergency coordination.

The proposed digital interventions are expected to support better information management, improve the coordination of resources, and strengthen the Fire Force's ability to manage emergency operations. By enhancing these capabilities, the Fire Force aims to respond more effectively to emergencies and improve overall service delivery. This partnership is part of ongoing efforts to explore how technology can support public institutions in improving their operations and making them more efficient.

The engagement between DSTI and the Sierra Leone Fire Force has since extended to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This extension creates an opportunity for broader discussions on digital transformation across institutions operating under the Ministry. The goal is to identify areas where technology can be leveraged to improve service delivery and institutional systems across the public sector.

The partnership between DSTI and the Sierra Leone Fire Force is a significant step towards advancing digital transformation in the country. By working together, the two institutions aim to develop and implement digital solutions that can be scaled up and applied across various public institutions. This collaboration has the potential to drive efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness in the delivery of public services.

The use of digital technology is expected to have a positive impact on the Fire Force's operations, enabling them to respond more quickly and effectively to emergencies. The partnership with DSTI will also provide the Fire Force with the opportunity to leverage expertise and resources that can help drive innovation and improvement in their operations. This is in line with the government's efforts to harness technology to drive development and improve the lives of citizens.

The MoU between DSTI and the Sierra Leone Fire Force marks a significant milestone in the country's efforts to leverage technology to drive development. As the partnership moves forward, it is expected that the collaboration will yield tangible results, including improved emergency response times, enhanced operational efficiency, and better information management. The success of this partnership could also serve as a model for other public institutions to follow.

Key points

• The partnership aims to improve operational efficiency and emergency response through digital technology.
• The MoU establishes a framework for sustained collaboration between DSTI and the Sierra Leone Fire Force.
• The proposed digital interventions will focus on areas such as personnel management, asset tracking, and emergency coordination.