By Hajaratu S. Bangura
The Government of Sierra Leone has approved a National Data Protection Policy alongside major legislative reforms that will merge data protection and access to information functions into a single strengthened authority, marking a significant shift in the country’s digital governance framework.
The approval was announced on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the weekly government press briefing by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, who described the reforms as a turning point in safeguarding citizens’ privacy and improving transparency in how personal and institutional data are managed.
The reform was piloted by Ministry of Information and Civic Education and the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation.
Under the new policy direction, Cabinet has approved the repeal of the Right to Access Information Commission Act and authorized the enactment of a new Data Protection and Right to Access Information Act. The new law will establish a unified authority with a dual mandate covering both access to public information and the protection of personal data.
The reforms also expand the mandate of the existing Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC), transforming it into a more powerful institution with enhanced investigative, compliance and enforcement authority over both public and private sector data handling.
Cabinet further authorized the Ministry of Information and Civic Education to work with the Attorney-General’s office to finalize and table the new Bill in Parliament, as well as coordinate the national data protection agenda across government.
Minister Bah described the reform as a foundational shift in how citizens’ information will be treated. “This is a historic paper… with the creation of a unified Authority, we are bringing citizens’ data rights and privacy into a new era,” he said.
He added that the new framework is designed to ensure accountability in both government and private sector data use. “This will strengthen citizens’ rights, including the right to privacy and introduce a new regime for managing personal information,” Bah stated. He also noted that public institutions and digital platforms will now be held to clearer standards in how data is collected, stored and processed.
The National Data Protection Policy provides a comprehensive framework governing the collection, processing, storage and sharing of personal data in Sierra Leone. It is expected to align the country with modern digital governance standards while strengthening trust in public institutions.
The reform builds on years of consultations involving civil society groups, the media, security institutions and development partners and is intended to close gaps between transparency, cybersecurity and data governance.
Once enacted, the new authority will oversee both access to information requests and the enforcement of data protection standards nationwide, consolidating previously separate regulatory functions into one integrated institution.
