SECTION A 2 OBJECTIVES IN DEVELOPING AN ICT POLICY The following political, economic and social objectives have been identified as the key objectives of the Government of Sierra Leone in its formulation of this policy: 2-1 Political objectives of the ICT policy • To enhance better transparency and facilitate communication with citizens through E-governance; • To integrate Sierra Leone regionally and globally through the use of ICTs; • To re-brand the image of Sierra Leone by providing information on progress and achievements in Sierra Leone and to promote the distribution of culturally sensitive materials through various ICT channels; • To comply with the provisions of ECOWAS and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) General Agreement on Trade and Services. 2-2 Economic objectives of the ICT policy • To improve efficiency in the public sector through effective use of ICT infrastructure, applications and services; • To enhance competitiveness in the private sector; • To enable global economic integration; • To create new opportunities for Sierra Leoneans to become ICT citizens equipped to take advantage of a knowledge-based economy; • To encourage the transition of the informal market to the formal market through ICT tools; • To promote and support indigenous and foreign entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone; • To enable growth in key areas such as Agriculture, Tourism, Mineral Resources, and Infrastructure development. 2-3 Social objectives of the ICT policy • To improve the basic living standard of Sierra Leoneans; • To facilitate and support the universal freedom of affordable access to information; • To identify and implement all relevant procedures related to cyber security, electronic security and data protection to protect ICT users; ICT Policy of Sierra Leone Page 12 / 63