Sierra Leone’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., has engaged UNESCO on strengthening the country’s approach to artificial intelligence (AI) governance and exploring technical support for AI readiness.
Sesay held a bilateral meeting with UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Science and Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Abou Amani, and his team on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, on the margins of the 4th UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
During the meeting, the Attorney-General outlined President Julius Maada Bio’s Big Five Game Changers and discussed how artificial intelligence could contribute to their implementation and support Sierra Leone’s broader national development objectives.
Sesay said Sierra Leone had established a clear position on the importance of AI but had not yet enacted specific legislation governing the technology. He stressed the need for the country to develop a strong foundation for AI governance while ensuring that the technology is aligned with national development priorities.
He also informed the UNESCO delegation that Sierra Leone already has a cybersecurity framework and that the government had made progress towards developing a Data Protection Bill.
The Attorney-General further stressed the importance of making AI accessible to the wider population, arguing that discussions around the technology should extend beyond legal professionals and other experts to reach ordinary citizens.
“We are interested in the Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) and in tapping into UNESCO’s support extended to other countries,” Sesay said.
He also disclosed that Sierra Leone had submitted a proposal at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) level for regional cooperation on AI governance.
Responding to the presentation, Dr. Abou Amani welcomed Sierra Leone’s engagement and said UNESCO was open to including the country in its Readiness Assessment Methodology process.
He further disclosed that a UNESCO Communication and Information Team is expected to visit Sierra Leone later in September to provide training for members of the legal community, including members of the Judiciary, law officers and private legal practitioners.
The meeting also agreed that UNESCO and Sierra Leone would hold further discussions when the UNESCO team arrives in Freetown.
The Attorney-General was accompanied at the meeting by State Counsel Alpha Amadu Bah Esq.
