By Shadrach Aziz Kamara
Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella has challenged students of the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) to become the generation that transforms Africa’s economy by embracing innovation, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence (AI), and regional integration.
Delivering a public lecture on Monday, 6 July 2026, on the theme “Powering Regional Integration through Energy, Strategic Minerals, Agribusiness and Digital Transformation,” Dr. Yumkella said West Africa possesses abundant natural and human resources but must move beyond exporting raw materials to developing value-added industries capable of creating millions of jobs.
Addressing students, lecturers and invited guests, he described the lecture as a continuation of discussions he began during his previous visit to IPAM three months ago. He noted that universities play a vital role in generating ideas, shaping public policy and preparing future leaders.
He said the world is undergoing rapid transformation driven by the global energy transition, digital technologies and changing production systems, warning that countries which fail to adapt risk being left behind.
“Our future will not be determined simply by the resources beneath our soil. It will be determined by the quality of our institutions, the skills of our people, the courage of our leadership and the strength of regional cooperation,” he said.
Dr. Yumkella stressed that no West African nation can compete effectively in the global economy on its own, arguing that stronger regional integration would create larger markets capable of attracting greater investment and supporting industrial growth.
He noted that West Africa’s estimated population of 450 million people, with a median age of about 18 years, presents both an opportunity and a challenge, as the region must create about 10 million jobs annually to meet growing demand.
He identified reliable electricity as the foundation of economic development, noting that every industrialised nation first addressed its energy challenges before achieving sustained growth. High energy costs, he said, continue to place a heavy burden on businesses and educational institutions across Sierra Leone.
According to him, universities spend significant portions of their budgets on electricity and fuel for generators instead of investing in research, scholarships, digital learning and improved teaching facilities. He encouraged institutions to adopt renewable energy solutions, particularly solar power, to reduce long-term operating costs.
Speaking on strategic minerals, Dr. Yumkella said Africa is becoming increasingly important in the global clean energy transition due to its vast deposits of lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite and rare earth minerals.
He noted that Sierra Leone and other Mano River Union countries possess significant mineral resources but cautioned against repeating the mistake of exporting raw materials without local processing and manufacturing.
“The real wealth is not simply extracting the minerals. The wealth comes from value addition, manufacturing and creating industries that provide jobs for our people,” he stated.
On agriculture, he described agribusiness as another key driver of economic transformation, urging West African countries to increase food production, expand agro-processing and reduce dependence on imported rice.
Dr. Yumkella also encouraged students to develop practical knowledge of artificial intelligence, describing AI as a transformative tool already reshaping business, education, healthcare and research.
“I don’t need to become a programmer. I simply need to know how to apply artificial intelligence to improve my productivity,” he said.
He warned that investors increasingly assess the digital skills of a country’s workforce before deciding where to establish businesses.
Dr. Yumkella further disclosed that President Julius Maada Bio has tasked him with supporting efforts to reposition the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) towards deeper economic integration through investment, energy cooperation, strategic minerals, agribusiness and digital transformation.
He announced that Sierra Leone will host a major regional investment forum in November, bringing together heads of state, international investors, development finance institutions, policymakers and multinational companies to explore investment opportunities across West Africa.
Concluding his lecture, Dr. Yumkella urged students to become innovators and entrepreneurs rather than job seekers.
“Africa does not need more job seekers. Africa needs job creators, innovators and entrepreneurs,” he declared.
He expressed confidence that Sierra Leone has the resources, strategic location and human capital to achieve sustainable economic growth if its young people embrace innovation, acquire relevant skills and provide visionary leadership capable of transforming the country’s abundant resources into shared prosperity.
