On January 14, 2025, Sierra Leone took a monumental leap in its cybersecurity journey with the official launch of the National Cyber Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) and the National Digital Forensics Lab (DFL) in Freetown. Hosted at the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NC3) Headquarters, the event signifies a major milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen its digital security infrastructure and address the growing threat of cybercrime.
In her keynote address, Minister of Communication Technology and Innovation, Madam Salima Bah, emphasized the importance of collaboration and Sierra Leone’s readiness to combat cyber threats. She assured the public of the ministry’s commitment to ensuring a safer digital environment for the nation.
The event was also attended by ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization, Mr. Sediko Douka, represented by Ambassador Harouna Moussa. He commended Sierra Leone’s progress in advancing cybersecurity and digital transformation, noting that the launch of the National CSIRT and Digital Forensics Lab would play a crucial role in countering cybercrime, investigating digital crimes, and safeguarding critical infrastructure.
The European Union, Germany, and the World Bank have been instrumental in supporting these initiatives, in alignment with ECOWAS’s cybersecurity framework. The event underscored Sierra Leone’s dedication to regional cybersecurity cooperation and building a resilient digital infrastructure.
Ministers, diplomats, and representatives from organizations like ECOWAS, the European Union, and the British High Commission attended the ceremony, reinforcing the collective vision for a secure and innovative digital future in the region.
