Sierra Leone Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation – COVID-19 Response

Using lessons learned from the Ebola response, DSTI and Dimagi will develop digital solutions for contact tracing to contain the spread of COVID-19 and the distribution of public health messages for community education. DSTI and Dimagi will create a joint team to support the ongoing rapid development of a contact tracing mobile application specifically for COVID-19. This solution will decentralize contact tracing and increase efficiency in resource mobilization, information dissemination, and comprehensive data collection.

“As we saw during the previous Ebola outbreak in West Africa, digital technology can play a critical role in improving the impact of the outbreak response. Through this partnership with DSTI, we will leverage leading best practices in developing critical technology to rapidly respond to and curtail the impact of COVID-19 in Sierra Leone,” said Jonathan Jackson, CEO, Dimagi. 

DSTI’s latest partnership also includes MIT, Statistics Sierra Leone, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, eGovernance Academy, UNICEF Sierra Leone, and UNDP. It underscores DSTI’s commitment to strengthen the local ecosystem for technology and innovation in collaboration with local and global leaders.