Closing Sierra Leone’s Digital Skills Gap: IPAM and Vickie Remoe Lead the Way

In Sierra Leone today, the demand for digital skills far outplaces supply. While thousands of young people are online daily, few have access to structured training that transforms them from digital consumers into digital creators. 

At the start of 2025, 1.8 million Sierra Leoneans were online, representing 13.2% of the population. The largest share of active internet users are young adults between 25 and 34 years old (15.5%). Yet, despite this growing digital presence, Sierra Leone continues to face a significant digital skills gap. Employees consistently note that graduates enter the workforce without practical skills needed to thrive in the digital economy. 

This is the gap the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), through its Centre of Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEEI) set out to bridge when it partnered with Vickie Remoe and VR&C Marketing to launch Sierra Leone’s first hands-on short courses in digital marketing. 

The course brought academia and industry together to provide a top-notch learning experience to give students practical tools to compete in a fast-changing marketplace. 18 people were in the first cohort, attending class both virtually and in-person.

Speaking on behalf of IPAM, Joyce Coulson-Olowu, Coordinator of the CEEI, described the graduation as a great achievement. 

“This program is proof of what’s possible when academia partners with industry. By collaborating with Vickie Remoe and VR&C Marketing, we designed courses that are not just theoretical but practical, hands-on and successful,” she stated.

Some students after a class with Vickie Remoe

A First-of-its-Kind Digital Marketing Course

The short courses were designed with one goal in mind: to respond to Sierra Leone’s current market needs. Delivered virtually, the programme was structured to be highly interactive, combining lectures with hands-on exercises and activities to maximise engagement and skill application.

Facilitated by Vickie Remoe, the courses were coordinated by the CEEI team at IPAM, which handled logistical and technical support to ensure smooth delivery. Students were provided with reliable internet access and a conducive learning environment, making it possible for them to fully immerse themselves in the sessions.

The coordinator for CEEI at IPAM, Coulson-Olowu, further added that the success of the first cohort demonstrates the urgent demand for digital training in Sierra Leone. 

“We had professionals from organizations, entrepreneurs running small businesses and students in the university all learning side by side. That diversity reflects the wide application of digital marketing today,” she shared.

For Vickie Remoe, founder of VR&C Marketing and lead lecturer for the courses, teaching the cohort was deeply rewarding.

“What impressed me most was their curiosity and hunger to learn. These graduates now understand how to use storytelling and strategy to achieve impact online. They are proof that Sierra Leoneans are not just digital consumers but digital creators and innovators who can compete anywhere in the world,” she shared.

IPAM plans on repeating the course in the future to allow more learners to benefit from the programme. 

The Experiences of the Students

The first cohort brought together a diverse mix of Sierra Leoneans with one common goal; to master the digital skills needed for today’s world. Participants ranged from young undergraduates to mid-career professionals in communications, organizations, as well as entrepreneurs running small and medium enterprises.

Edward Sesay, 27, a graduate of the course, co-owns Salone Beard G and manages Cathphil Logistics and Printing Services. He enrolled to enhance his digital marketing skills after attending Vickie Remoe’s complimentary marketing masterclass at IPAM. As a business owner, he has studily applied what he has been learning from the course to market his business online and build engagement. 

“The course exceeded my expectations. Vickie carved a niche for me and gradually, Edward Sesay is becoming another sound name in Sierra Leone’s social media space,” he shared. 

Rugiatu Timbo, 28, a community engagement officer at Creative Hub Africa, is a graduate of the program. She viewed it as a chance to enhance her digital marketing skills at her job.

“I’ll apply what I have learnt in my career to launch successful campaigns at my job,”  she shared.

She shared her excitement about being part of the first cohort of the course. 

“It feels great to be part of Ma’am Vickie’s first adventures of lecturing,” she shared. 

William Boima, 36, a production manager at Voice of Kenema Radio, viewed the course as an opportunity to enhance his skills to meet current market demands. He is also the CEO of the agribusiness firm Grow for Growth, CEO of the blogsite Kinie Bioma Junction, and an associate graphic designer.

“I had been doing digital marketing before, but I lacked the professional know-how to execute campaigns effectively. When I saw the flyer on Facebook and WhatsApp, I knew this was my opportunity,” he said. 

Across the board, participants described the course as transformational. They believe that marketing is an essential skill to learn not just for business, but for personal branding as well. 

“If you’re thinking of applying, then I’m confidently telling you that it’s a decision you will always be grateful for,” Sesay stated. 

Some students after a class

The Road Ahead

As Sierra Leone pushes for digital transformation, programmes like IPAM’s Certified Digital Marketing Short Courses signal a critical shift: one where higher education meets real-world business needs. 

For the graduates, the certification brings a new journey where the new skills they have gained from the course can help shape the future of communication and entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone.