Sierra Leone’s Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, has announced plans to promote the country’s music industry internationally, beginning with a partnership that could see local music videos featured on the global entertainment platform Trace.
The Minister made the disclosure on Tuesday during a roundtable in Freetown with some of the country’s most prominent artists, including Entertainment Ambassador Kao Denero, Colabo, Kracktwist, Artical Foyoh, and Mohamed B. Bayoh (Eco), who also serves as Entertainment Youth Coordinator.
“This is not just about music, it’s about branding Sierra Leone to the world through the talent of our young people,” Sannoh said. “Our beats, our voices, our creativity deserve global recognition. Trace is only the beginning.”
Artists welcomed the announcement, describing it as a potential breakthrough for an industry long seeking international exposure. Kao Denero said the move could be “the kind of bold step” Sierra Leonean musicians had been waiting for, while Colabo called it “history in the making.”
The minister also highlighted upcoming youth-focused events, including the Mano River Union Youth Conekt 2025 in October and Sierra Leone’s first-ever Youth Festival in December. The festival, he said, will combine music, arts, and culture while raising funds for rehabilitation programs for young people struggling with drug addiction.
“Entertainment is not just about fun,” Sannoh noted. “It’s also a tool for healing, empowerment, and nation-building.”
The meeting closed with a commitment from both government and artists to work together to lift Sierra Leone’s entertainment industry onto the global stage.
