The Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation

What The Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation does

The Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) is a government directorate under the Government of Sierra Leone, established in 2018 and headquartered in Freetown. It functions as the central hub for scientific research, technological development, and innovation policy in the country, with a stated mandate to drive technological transformation across the public sector. Its operations are organized around four focus areas: Smart Governance, Digitizing Public Service, Technology, and Education.

DSTI builds technology solutions that connect Sierra Leone's Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) through shared platforms and standards, and develops inclusive digital systems intended to improve government service access for women, young people, and persons with disabilities. Core technologies cited are AI, GIS, and Blockchain, deployed across more than 10 active projects that have reached over 2 million people. The product portfolio comprises three core offerings: Smart Governance Platforms (cross-MDA interoperability), Digitizing Public Service (inclusive service delivery), and Evidence-Based Governance Solutions (data-driven decision-making).

As a government directorate, DSTI does not operate on a commercial revenue model. It is funded through government budget allocation and likely development partner support, and distributes its solutions via direct collaborative deployment with MDAs. The organization employs approximately 38 staff — a multidisciplinary mix of data scientists, policy experts, and engineers — operating under a hybrid work model in Freetown. Its go-to-market is effectively a sales-led, stakeholder-collaborative model within government, with public-facing communication handled through its official website, newsletter, and news channels.

Name

The Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation

Legal name

Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation

Website

https://dsti.gov.sl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Technology / Public Sector Software

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL)

Keywords

• Government technology
• Smart governance platforms
• Public sector digitization
• Evidence-based governance
• Innovation policy

Headquarters

HQ city

Freetown

HQ country

Sierra Leone

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

DSTI is a Sierra Leone government directorate that develops and deploys technology platforms and standards to connect government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), digitize public services with an emphasis on inclusive access for women, young people, and persons with disabilities, and deliver evidence-based governance solutions. It operates an in-house innovation hub applying AI, GIS, and Blockchain to key sectors of Sierra Leone's economy, running 10+ active projects that impact more than 2 million people.

Product overview

DSTI operates as a government technology directorate offering a unified portfolio of public sector technology solutions rather than a commercial product company. The core offerings consist of Smart Governance Platforms (connecting government MDAs), Digitizing Public Service (inclusive service delivery), and Evidence-Based Governance Solutions. These products work together as an integrated approach to Sierra Leone's digital transformation, supporting over 10 active projects and impacting more than 2 million people. The directorate functions as an innovation hub applying AI, GIS, and Blockchain technologies to drive technological advancement for sustainable development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Smart Governance Platforms Software platforms and standards developed to connect Sierra Leone's government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), enabling digital coordination and data sharing across the public sector.
• Digitizing Public Service Ecosystem of inclusive digital systems designed to improve access to government services for women, young people, and persons with disabilities in Sierra Leone, with a focus on inclusive digital transformation.
• Evidence-Based Governance Solutions Data-driven technology solutions concentrated in key sectors with the greatest potential to transform Sierra Leone's economy and improve citizens' lives through evidence-based decision making.

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• GIZ GovStack Initiative: Multi-donor initiative developing reusable digital building blocks for government services in low- and middle-income countries, directly comparable to DSTI's platform-based approach to MDA integration.
• Estonia e-Governance Academy: Government-affiliated academy that helps countries design and implement digital governance solutions, smart governance platforms, and public service digitization strategies. Mirrors DSTI's mandate-driven approach.
• Code for Africa: Africa's largest civic technology and data journalism network building digital tools and platforms that strengthen public service delivery and citizen engagement across the continent.
• Tony Blair Institute for Global Change: Works directly with African governments on digital and technology transformation, advisory on smart governance and innovation policy. Highly comparable mission to DSTI's mandate of driving Sierra Leone's national technology agenda.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-directorate-of-science-technology-and-innovation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation