Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 18 | Page 47

COUNTRY FOCUS: SIERRA LEONE A technology hub aimed to support new ways to tackle the challenges facing society is proving a hit in Sierra Leone. ////////////////// Technology hub proving a hit S ensi Tech Hub (Sensi) grew out of Sensi’s SMS programme, a toll- free interactive SMS programme successfully run in response to the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone in 2014. It was after the Ebola crisis in late 2015 that Morris Marah, Founder and Director of Sensi Tech Hub, decided to set up the hub and he launched it the following January. Since then, Sensi has been providing young people, marginalised women and organisations with skills, resources and support to identify new ways to tackle the challenges facing society. www.intelligentcio.com “ GOING FORWARD, SENSI AIMS TO CONTINUE RUNNING ITS CURRENT SERVICES AND PROGRAMME. “We now run an open community space where technology and entrepreneurship intersect to help build the next generation of innovative solutions and businesses in Sierra Leone,” said Marah. “The success of these solutions is driving social change and creating employment. Sensi is built on a highly collaborative and community-driven model. “We facilitate the mentoring, skilling, generation of and exposure to novel ideas needed to foster a more innovative, technological, business and community driven solutions to the livelihoods challenges INTELLIGENTCIO 47