ST Foundation talks: meet Mohamed Mustapha Dumbuya, Sierra Leone Country Manager
Welcome to the fifth edition of ST Foundation Talks, a series connecting you with the inspiring individuals leading ST Foundation initiatives around the world. In this series, we interview our dedicated Country Managers to learn more about their journeys, challenges, and the positive impact they are making in their communities.
As we start 2026, we sit down with Mohamed, our Country Manager in Sierra Leone.
Building on his extensive university studies and previous experience in education, Mohamed joined the ST Foundation to further help bridge the digital divide in his country.
Can you tell us a little about yourself? Where are you from, and what’s your background?
My name is Mohamed Mustapha Dumbuya. I’m from Sierra Leone and I live in Freetown, but my roots are in the northwestern part of the country, in Kukuna, Bramaia Chiefdom, Kambia District. That’s where I grew up and where a big part of my identity comes from.
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education, a Master’s in Agricultural Economics, and an Executive Master’s in Business Administration, complemented by several professional ICT courses. This mix of agriculture, economics, business, and technology has shaped the way I look at development and opportunities in my country.
Was there a defining moment or encounter that motivated you to join the ST Foundation?
In my fifth year as a teacher at Albert Academy, the principal asked me to take part in an ICB trainers’ training. The workshop was led by two Italian and two American trainers. At the end of the three-day session, they unanimously chose me to serve as the Country Coordinator for Sierra Leone. At that time, out of about 200 teachers in the school, only two of us were computer literate… and I was one of them.
That training was really a turning point for me. It sparked my motivation and opened a new path. Shortly afterwards, I was appointed Country Manager for the ST Foundation’s Digital Unify (DU) Program in Sierra Leone.
Can you describe what your role as Country Manager entails and walk us through a typical day in your work?
I make sure the ST Foundation’s programs in Sierra Leone run smoothly and have real impact. I’m responsible for planning and coordinating activities, overseeing the programs, and working with schools, partners, and local authorities. I also manage budgets and resources, follow up on results, and support the trainers and staff.
Part of my work is to ensure that our curriculum is relevant and up to standard, that we respect all policies and safeguarding rules, and that our projects are sustainable in the long term.
A typical day is quite demanding, because I have to keep an eye on many of these aspects at once, but that variety is also what makes the job rewarding.
And talking about reward… What’s the most rewarding part of your work with the ST Foundation?
What I find most rewarding about working with the ST Foundation is how much it helps me grow. It has strengthened my leadership and management skills, built my confidence, and exposed me to many new opportunities. I also really value the chance to keep learning and to share that knowledge with others.
Looking back on your work, is there a specific episode that you still think about today?
Well, I remember a computer literacy training course in Kambia, where many participants had never touched a computer before. On the first day, an elderly retired man told us, “These computers are not for people like us.” He could barely hold the mouse and was afraid of making mistakes. With patient support from our facilitators, he slowly gained confidence. By the last day, he was proudly sending an email and browsing online. When he said, “Now I feel like I still belong in this modern world,” it touched me deeply.
For me, that’s the real impact of the ST Foundation: not just teaching digital skills, but restoring confidence and inclusion. Moments like this are what keep me committed to bringing our programs to more underserved communities.
What are some of the unique challenges you face in your country, and how do you approach them?
Two of the biggest challenges we face in Sierra Leone are unreliable internet and frequent electricity cuts. Both can seriously disrupt training sessions and demotivate learners.
To cope with this, we try to be as practical and flexible as possible. We schedule sessions at times when electricity is more stable, use backup solutions when we can, and design activities that don’t always depend on a live internet connection. We also prepare offline content and exercises so that learning can continue even when the connection drops.
It’s not always easy, but planning ahead and adapting to the reality on the ground helps us keep the programs running and meaningful for participants.
How do you connect with local communities and partners to make an impact?
This requires trust, participation, and collaboration. We focus on engaging community leaders early, listening carefully before taking action, and using existing local structures and networks to raise awareness.
We make it a point to respect culture and local knowledge, and we always aim to strengthen local capacity so that communities can continue the work long after our programs are introduced.
What helps you stay committed? Do you have a particular motto or philosophy ?
What keeps me going is the enthusiasm and openness of young learners toward digital training, combined with the strong support we receive from the ST Foundation. It reminds me every day why this work matters.
How do you see the ST Foundation’s work evolving in your country in the coming years?
I see the ST Foundation’s work in Sierra Leone growing in both scale and depth. With the expansion of digital literacy across all age groups, our programs will reach not only students, but also teachers, professionals, and community members.
In the coming years, I expect stronger collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Communication, as well as with universities, schools, and polytechnics.
My personal motto is simple: “Never stop learning.”
This will help us integrate digital skills more firmly into the education system and make our initiatives more sustainable and impactful for the whole country.
