MTHE Engages National AI and Blockchain Hackathon Finalists.

The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) convened an engagement session with finalist teams from the National AI and Blockchain Hackathon. The meeting, held at the Ministry’s Conference Room, Sababu Building, New England Ville, brought together Sierra Leone’s brightest young tech innovators to showcase groundbreaking digital solutions.

Edward Sannoh, MTHE’s Assistant Director of ICT, chaired the session and welcomed finalists presenting transformative innovations, including a proposed decentralized health information system. Sannoh underscored the government’s commitment to fostering innovation under His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio’s “Big Five Game Changer” priorities. He charged innovators to develop sustainable, scalable business models alongside technical excellence.

Victor Sesay, MTHE’s Director of Technology and Innovation, urged finalists to strategically align their projects with relevant institutions and markets. Drawing from his experience transforming Sierra Leone’s tertiary education system through digital solutions, Sesay emphasized targeted innovation. He clarified that while MTHE champions technological advancement, clinical and administrative oversight remains with the Ministry of Health, innovators must position solutions accordingly for meaningful impact.

Among standout innovations, CHI Health Bot emerged as a game-changing AI-powered WhatsApp platform delivering instant health guidance in English and Krio. The system directly addresses Sierra Leone’s critical shortage of medical professionals. Users receive immediate advice, share locations during emergencies, and receive directions to the nearest hospitals, dramatically improving timely healthcare access.

Another transformative solution, LANA (Learn Anything, Now, Anywhere), showcased AI-driven career guidance technology. The platform helps students and job seekers identify suitable careers through aptitude tests and real-time job market data. LANA automatically recommends curated courses, administers quizzes, and issues digital certificates—tackling graduate unemployment while expanding educational access.

MTHE pledged comprehensive support to refine, validate, and scale these innovations nationwide. The Ministry will prepare a formal report with recommendations for funding and strategic partnerships. Innovators received clear direction: adopt entrepreneurial mindsets, develop market-driven solutions, and leverage institutional support to maximize impact across Sierra Leone’s healthcare and education sectors.

Correspondent- Richard Williams

Ministry of Technical and Higher Education

Tel: +23203086143