By Davida Spaine-Solomon
Freetown, 27th March 2026- Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has called on West African leaders to fast-track digital integration, warning that the region risks economic marginalisation if it fails to embrace a unified digital market.
Delivering the keynote address at the ECOWAS Ministerial Meeting on Telecommunications, ICT, and Digitalisation in Freetown on Friday, Jalloh positioned digital transformation as a cornerstone of economic growth, regional cohesion, and long-term stability.
The meeting followed a three-day Experts Preparatory Session (March 23–25), which brought together policymakers, regulators, and development partners from across ECOWAS Member States to chart strategies for the region’s digital future.
Speaking on behalf of President Julius Maada Bio, current Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Jalloh stressed that economic opportunity remains the foundation of lasting peace. “Jobs, growth, and inclusion are fundamental to social cohesion,” he said, adding that these goals increasingly depend on digital systems and innovation.
Jalloh noted that the global economy is undergoing a structural shift, with digital technologies driving competitiveness and value creation. For West Africa, he said, this represents a critical turning point. “We face a clear choice — to position ourselves to capture this growth or remain on the margins,” he warned.
He emphasised that integration today goes beyond physical infrastructure and trade, extending into data, platforms, and cross-border services. “In the 21st century, economic integration is, in many ways, digital integration. If our digital systems are not integrated, our economies will not be integrated,” he said.
Against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty, Jalloh urged stronger regional coordination in digital payments, services, and market access. He called for ministers to move beyond policy discussions toward implementation, stressing that progress should be measured by outcomes rather than frameworks.
Highlighting Sierra Leone’s own digital transformation agenda, Jalloh pointed to investments in public service delivery, cybersecurity, and resilience. But he cautioned that national gains would have limited impact without deeper regional cooperation.
“National progress must be reinforced by regional cooperation,” he said, concluding that early movers will be best positioned to benefit from the expanding digital economy. “This meeting is a critical step toward a single digital market for ECOWAS. The opportunity is significant, but it is time-sensitive.”
