By Sallieu S. Kanu
Team Sierra Leone has departed for Incheon, South Korea, to represent the country at the 2026 FIRST Global Robotics Challenge (FGC), scheduled for 7 to 10 October 2026, with support from the Government of Sierra Leone and the National Commission for Children (NCC).
The team, comprising young innovators and robotics enthusiasts, will compete alongside participants from around the world in one of the largest international science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) competitions for youth.
Speaking at a farewell press briefing in Freetown, NCC Commissioner, Mrs. Joyce Wuyah Tejan-Kella, described the event as a significant milestone for Sierra Leone’s children and a testament to the country’s growing investment in STEM education and innovation.
She said Team Sierra Leone would once again raise the nation’s Green, White and Blue flag on the global stage, noting that the country’s participation in the competition reflects the determination and potential of Sierra Leonean youth.
According to the Commissioner, Sierra Leone began participating in the FIRST Global Robotics Challenge in 2019 through the efforts of the National Commission for Children. What started as a programme involving 15 STEM clubs in schools across Freetown, Bo and Makeni has evolved into an initiative that enables young Sierra Leoneans to compete internationally in robotics and technology.
Highlighting the team’s achievements, Tejan-Kella recalled that Sierra Leone recorded a major breakthrough during the 2023 competition in Singapore, where the team ranked 50th globally out of 191 participating countries and placed sixth in Africa. She also noted that the team successfully represented the country in Athens, Greece, during the 2024 challenge, which was held under the theme “Feeding the Future”, complementing Sierra Leone’s Feed Salone agenda.
She emphasized that the success of the programme demonstrates that talent is not determined by geographical location but by access to opportunity and support.
Speaking on this year’s challenge, the Commissioner said the 2026 theme, “Igniting Innovation,” encourages participants to use robotics, engineering and technology-driven solutions to help prevent wildfires and protect the environment.
She expressed confidence in Team Sierra Leone’s preparations, praising members for their hard work, commitment and resilience in designing and building a robot capable of competing at the highest level.
The Commissioner thanked President Julius Maada Bio and the Government of Sierra Leone for their continued commitment to human capital development and support for children’s programmes. She also acknowledged the contributions of the Ministry of Finance, FIRST Global, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, African Global Logistics, Altruistech, Creativity Hub and other partners that have supported the initiative.
She further commended parents for encouraging their children to participate in robotics and STEM activities, stressing the importance of preparing young people for a technology-driven future.
Addressing the team, Tejan-Kella urged the students to remain confident, learn from their international peers and serve as ambassadors for Sierra Leone throughout the competition.
“Whether you bring home a trophy or not, you are already champions to us,” she told the team.
Members of Team Sierra Leone expressed determination to make the nation proud and pledged to fly the country’s flag high throughout the competition.
Background to the FIRST Global Robotics Challenge
The FIRST Global Robotics Challenge is an annual international robotics competition that brings together secondary school students from countries around the world to collaborate, innovate and compete using science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills.
The competition was established by FIRST Global, a non-profit organization founded to inspire young people to pursue STEM education and careers. Each participating country is represented by a team of students who design, build and programme robots to complete tasks related to a specific annual challenge.
Beyond competition, the initiative promotes cross-cultural collaboration, leadership development, problem-solving and innovation among young people, while encouraging nations to invest in technology and scientific advancement.
Significance of the Competition
The participation of Team Sierra Leone is significant for several reasons:
- It showcases Sierra Leone’s emerging talent in science, technology and engineering.
- It provides young people with exposure to global technological innovations and best practices.
- It encourages greater interest in STEM education among students nationwide.
- It promotes international networking and collaboration with peers from more than 190 countries.
- It supports the government’s Human Capital Development agenda by investing in the skills of future innovators.
- It enhances Sierra Leone’s visibility and reputation on the international stage through positive youth achievement.
The competition is widely regarded as a platform for nurturing the next generation of engineers, innovators and technology leaders capable of developing solutions to global challenges.