Hi everyone
Let’s use this thread to introduce ourselves
I work with UNICEF Office of Innovation - based in Stockholm, Sweden. I was in Freetown last year in Nov - and had a great time (also had the opportunity to meet a few of you at Christex Foundation and Limkokwing university).
I have been in the open source for over 10 years and have contributed and lead many projects over time - in various roles.. from QA, Developer, Operation to mentor, governance and DEI initiatives. I primarily come from world of platforms (like operating systems, network manager, systemd, Kubernetes, Openshift).. but now focus on overall Open Source and DPGs, and how can solutions reduce the digital divide.. I see open source as one of the key players in this digital sovereignty and digital public infra’s mission space.. My current big problem is brainstorming on ways to fix lack of sustainability of individual component beyond the big 3 (payment, Id, data flow) in DPI.
When not advocating for open source, you will find me nerding out on coffee, going out on runs.. always with music in background. Of course happy to talk about any of these things
Please do share some things about youself, your interest, your skills, your passion, or anything interesting you came across recently. A fun fact is always nice to read - so don’t hesitate to throw them in too
and at last, I am calling out on @Bayoh and @8086 to introduce themselves haha
Super happy to be here and learn from all of you. Just wanted to quickly say Baawo ni
I’m Oluwatosin Babarinde Ayorinde, and I’m currently living in Sierra Leone. I work as a lecturer and head of the ICT department at Limkokwing University. I‘ve over 10years of experience and also spend a lot of time helping young people get into tech and working on open innovation projects in West Africa.
My background includes things like creating software, teaching digital skills, designing user interfaces, and starting tech businesses. For the last few years, I’ve been leading practical workshops for students and professionals, teaching them how to build websites, use digital tools, and work with open-source software. My goal is to help people get the skills they need through hands-on, easily repeatable training.
Recently, I started Stackup Salone, a 9-month training program for developers that ends with a hackathon. It’s designed to help create the next generation of tech professionals in Sierra Leone. I’m also working on Eledadev, a web app builder that focuses on PHP, to give local developers the tools they need to build secure, fast, and complete web applications.
I’m really interested in how open-source technology and Digital Public Goods (DPGs) can help communities that need it most grow and thrive. I think that making digital skills available to everyone can change lives, one piece of code at a time.
When I’m not teaching or building things, you can probably find me listening to Apala and fuji music, and designing posters for events, putting together tech conferences, or planning fun activities on campus that bring different departments together
I am Abdul Rahim, the Digital Public Goods Lead at the Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation, where I coordinate national efforts around the development, adoption, and promotion of open-source digital technologies (yes, I am the one who likes talking a lot at some of your universities and communities about DPGs).
I also support Sierra Leone’s foundational work at the Ministry towards a National AI Strategy, focusing on context-appropriate, AI-based solutions to address development challenges.
Also, I am a Co-founder at EasySTEM, an EdTech initiative dedicated to designing scalable learning technologies for last-mile environments, where we utilise a lot of open source hardware and software for the work we do.
Previously, I served as a Data Scientist at DSTI and worked on exciting projects!
I love discussing software, AI, and Engineering in general with my growing interest in signal processing
I low-key love travelling for work and meeting new people within and outside Sierra Leone!
I am deeply passionate about volunteering to support hands-on STEM learning and digital inclusion in underserved communities.
My biggest problem is seeing digital solutions being developed in Sierra Leone with challenges around language contextualisation, given the low literacy rate, even as we try to bridge the digital divide. I am greatly interested in getting this solved and seeing how solutions can benefit even the old woman in the most remote village in the country.
Hello everyone! I’m Elizabeth Sarah Kallon, a second-year student studying Development Communication and Media Studies at Njala University. I am passionate about youth empowerment, mental health, and digital inclusion. I have led several community-driven initiatives and currently serve on the Executive Board of the Institute of Language and Cultural Studies. I am excited to join this amazing network and look forward to learning and contributing.
Amazing to have a diverse group here. Also, good work so far with helping with the meetups ! Please feel free to nominate others to introuduce themselves
Senior Lecturer ! Interesting and welcome chief ! Great work you are doing at Limkokwing and thank you for all your amazing support towards DPG efforts at Limkokwing.
Feel freet to nominate others to introduce themselves Call you students
I am Alimatu Maliaka Jalloh, a second -year software engineering student at the Limkokwing University of creative Technology. I am passionate about women and girls’ empowerment and i have been working in the field of advocacy since i was 13 .
I’m also the founder of SafetySphere, a FemTech open source initiative using AI to improve access to sexual and reproductive health education and services. Our tools include AI-powered chat, symptom checkers, and multilingual support designed to reach even the most marginalised communities.
My work blend technology, advocacy and innovation with projects spanning maternal health (MamaCare AI), menstrual health campaigns, and open-source contributions for local language tools like krio- to-english-transalation model .
i have worked with UNFPA, Plan International, Ministry Of Youth, and many more and i recently hosted the DPG meet-up at the Limkokwing University.
I am always open to connecting, learning and building . Thank you all it a pleasure being here
Hi everyone, I’m Rugiatu Kargbo. I was nominated to introduce myself, so here I am
I am passionate about tech, youth empowerment and building inclusive digital spaces. I am so excited to be part of this community and looking forward to learning, sharing, and growing with you all!!!
Sahr Allieu
My name is Sahr Allieu, a passionate human rights activist, feminist, and advocate based in Kenema, Sierra Leone. With a strong commitment to promoting social justice, gender equality, and youth empowerment, I actively engage in community outreach and national dialogues to influence progressive change.
I currently work as a media influencer and marketer, using digital platforms to amplify voices, share impactful stories, and raise awareness on critical societal issues. My advocacy blends online engagement with real-world action, ensuring that meaningful narratives reach a wide and diverse audience.
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the Ministry of Information, Technology and Innovation Summit, where I contributed ideas focused on inclusivity, youth-driven innovation, and digital empowerment. My goal is to continue fostering positive change by promoting collaboration, creative solutions, and advocacy that uplifts marginalized communities
Welcome ! Amazing work you guys are doing at FBC ! Do you plan to take part of the community moderator challenge ? It will be excited to be hearing more from you and help in growing our community
Thank you for sharing your inspiring work and commitment to advocacy. It’s clear that your voice and efforts are making a real impact especially in bridging online influence with offline action, which is so crucial given the challenges we face today !
Your contribution at the Tech Summit sounds interesting. How did it go ?
I’m curious: based on the conversations and ideas shared at the summit, what do you see as the most urgent digital barrier facing marginalized communities in Sierra Leone today and how do you think youth-led initiatives like yours can play a role in addressing it sustainably?
Hello from Ishmeal Kamara — DPG Advocate, Innovator, and Youth Empowerment Leader
Hello amazing DPG community!
I’m Ishmeal Kamara, founder of NextGen Tech Solutions in Sierra Leone. I’m a passionate civic-tech innovator, digital skills trainer, and proud champion of Digital Public Goods for youth empowerment and grassroots development.
Here’s a quick snapshot of my journey so far:
Selected by the Ministry of Communication, Technology & Innovation as one of the top 100 innovators in Sierra Leone (GreenBin Connect).
Participant in the Big Five Innovation Challenge — representing innovative young entrepreneurs across the country.
Winner of a grant from Magamba Network Africa during the Citizens Voice Hackathon in Zimbabwe — one of only 5 selected out of many across Africa.
Winner of a grant from Project 1835, currently implementing impactful tech solutions for communities in Bo.
Founder of a Digital Scholarship Program that trains young people in photo editing, video editing, graphic design, content creation — and connects them to real platforms for monetization.
Currently part of two major incubation programs:
HASTEN Business Incubation Programme (supporting GreenBin Connect).
Ready Salone Program by International Trade Centre (ITC) – with ongoing mentorship and exposure.
Leading projects that solve local problems like waste management, youth unemployment, and digital literacy using open-source tools and civic technology.
I’m excited to be here to share what I’m learning, collaborate with others, and help build an inclusive, open, and digital-first future for Sierra Leone and beyond.
If I can support your idea or partner with you, let’s connect!
Hello everyone! My name is Salamy Moody and I’m very excited to be here with like-minded individuals to spark conversations around DPG.
Something to note about me: I was a semi-finalist at the Big 5 innovation challenge, where I presented my solution, Hire A Grad. A startup providing frelmace opportunities for recent university graduates. I got into entrepreneurship early 2020 and since then I’ve been a strong advocate of entrepreneurship, promoting and encouraging other young people to embrace the concept. I’ve been privileged to work with a few brands and organisations where i’ve played active role and contributed to developing and executing programs that support young entrepreneurs in their journey.
I am currently taking a Google Carrer Certificate Course on Project Management and I look forward to implementing the knowledge and skills from the course to lead impactful entrepreneurship projects for young people.
One more thing, I am also currently put out educational content on Tik-Tok on entrepreneurship, tech and project management. I just put out a vidoe on explaining digital Public goodsnin very simple terms. My handle is “Moody | The Biz Tutor”. Do well to check me out.
PS: @8086 happy to meet you here again. I was part of one of your classes during the tech summit, the one on AI.
I’m kallon sungu, a student of fourah bay college into a course of four years. I was really anticipating before to be a programmer or worker of such an inclusive internet innovation or facilities. It’s my pleasure of meeting and with regards,to celebrate the CEO of this facilities. My warmest regards, kallon. A poor man’s friend. Long live DSTI
