• Sierra Leone launched the “Learn2Earn” program with UNICEF to train young people for digital freelancing.
• A pilot cohort of 30 participants combines in-person training, virtual mentoring, and real freelance job applications.
• Internet penetration remains low at 20.7%, highlighting structural constraints to scaling digital work.

The Sierra Leonean government launched the “Learn2Earn” program on Wednesday, December 17, an initiative designed to strengthen youth employability through digital freelancing. The government is implementing the program in partnership with UNICEF. The initiative aims to prepare young people to generate online income at a time when traditional job opportunities remain scarce.

The pilot cohort brings together 30 participants enrolled in a one-month program that combines in-person orientation sessions, virtual mentoring, and applications for real freelance assignments. “The program was designed to support participants from learning to income generation through mentoring, hands-on practice, and accountability, with support from experienced freelancers operating on platforms such as Upwork and Bounty,” said Jesse Kamara, innovation lead at the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation (MoCTI).

According to the ministry, Learn2Earn offers an alternative pathway for labor market integration within the global gig economy. The program aims to address the widening gap between the number of young people entering the labor market and the limited availability of conventional jobs. The initiative also aligns with the MoCTI’s objective to help create 65,000 jobs in the technology and innovation sectors. The World Bank estimates that 230 million jobs in sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030.

The program comes amid mounting socioeconomic pressure. The African Development Bank estimates that youth unemployment in Sierra Leone reached 10% in 2022, while underemployment remained significantly higher. In addition, an Afrobarometer survey published in September showed that 57% of Sierra Leoneans have considered leaving the country, with 55% citing the search for better job opportunities.

Beyond skills development, the expansion of freelancing raises structural challenges. Young people face constraints related to access to digital equipment such as computers, suitable smartphones, and software. Reliable, high-quality, and affordable internet connectivity also remains critical. According to DataReportal, Sierra Leone counted 1.8 million internet users at the beginning of 2025, representing an internet penetration rate of just 20.7%.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum