Freetown — Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh and Sir Idris Elba have formalised a partnership aimed at expanding creative opportunities for young Sierra Leoneans.
The two sides signed a Statement of Intent positioning Sierra Leone as a founding champion of the proposed Commonwealth Creative Economy Partnership between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Akuna Group, which is chaired by Elba.
President Julius Maada Bio gave his full support for the agreement. The partnership seeks to strengthen Sierra Leone’s creative economy by linking skills development, employment, enterprise and market access between Africa and the Caribbean.
It will build on the existing Akuna Pod in Freetown and operate under Sierra Leonean leadership and within the country’s legal framework. Officials say the initiative aligns with national priorities of youth empowerment, digital transformation and cultural development.
The deal focuses on four key pillars: learning and mentorship programmes; further development of the Freetown Akuna Pod; improved access to opportunities and markets; and creator commerce.
Speaking on the agreement, Chief Minister Sengeh highlighted the government’s commitment to working with Elba and the Akuna Group to open more pathways for young people in the creative sector. He acknowledged Elba’s ongoing efforts in bringing partners, investment and opportunities to Sierra Leone.
The partnership comes against the backdrop of a creative economy that already contributes an estimated 4.5 percent of Sierra Leone’s GDP and more than 10 percent of formal employment, according to a 2025 World Bank diagnostic. With nearly 40 percent of the population aged between 18 and 34, the sector is seen as a critical avenue for job creation and economic diversification.
Akuna Group has already established a foothold in the country through the Freetown Akuna Pod. In recent weeks its education arm, Akuna Learning, launched a free AI filmmaking programme open to Sierra Leonean creators, delivered in partnership with Google.
The newly signed Statement of Intent is expected to scale up such efforts, creating structured pathways for young talent to gain skills, access markets and build sustainable creative careers under local leadership.
