Enumerators working under UniPod have begun mapping Sierra Leone’s youth in an effort to boost the country’s burgeoning creative economy and turn creativity into a measurable asset.

The program, supported by Nallo Jr Arts Academy and Timbuktoo Africa in partnership with UNDP Sierra Leone, aims to translate artistic talent into sustainable livelihoods, opening new avenues for private investment, skills development, and diversified economic growth.

The initiative trains young people to collect, analyze, and package data on creative industries from music and fashion to visual arts and film.

The resulting datasets provide a clearer view of market size, revenue streams, employment potential, and value chains, moving from anecdotal narratives to actionable intelligence that can guide funding, incubation, and infrastructure development for the sector.

The partnerships underpinning UniPod bring together educational institutions, industry platforms, and development organizations, signalling a concerted effort to formalize the creative economy.

With private sector participants keen on branding, merchandising, and digital distribution stand to gain from improved data, stronger supply chains, and clearer risk signals.

Training programs that connect studio practice with market analytics foster a workforce adept at storytelling, branding, and product development skills increasingly valued in a digital economy.

Sierra Leone’s approach aligns with broader diversification strategies, aiming to reduce reliance on traditional sectors while leveraging cultural assets for regional competitiveness and global reach.

The UniPod-led enumerator program is a crucial step towards youth development trajectory, turning cultural capital into concrete economic value.

When this mapping effort translates into robust markets, scalable ventures, and investment-ready opportunities, Sierra Leone’s youth could emerge as a regional exemplar of how the creative economy can drive inclusive, diversified growth in the 2025s and beyond.