David Moinina Sengeh

Dr. David Moinina Sengeh is a Sierra Leonean engineer, scientist, and statesman whose career encompasses research, technology innovation, and public service. Sengeh obtained his doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in biomechatronics, where he developed technology for human augmentation in designing comfortable prosthetic interfaces, and earned his bachelor's degree in engineering sciences from Harvard College.

Specializing in biomedical engineering and mechatronics, Sengeh observed that many amputees avoided prosthetics due to poor fit and chronic discomfort. While pursuing his doctorate at the MIT Media Lab, he contributed to advancements in prosthetic design by creating comfortable sockets and wearable interfaces tailored to patients, rather than requiring users to adapt to rigid designs. His prototypes were tested by veterans and amputees from the Boston Marathon bombing, and he was named a TED Fellow, delivering a talk entitled "The Sore Problem of Prosthetic Limbs."

Before entering government, Sengeh worked in the private sector and civil society. He served as a research manager at IBM Research Africa, leading a healthcare team that designed and implemented artificial intelligence-enabled systems for disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management. He contributed to the development of the innovation ecosystem in Sierra Leone through Global Minimum and the Innovate Salone program, which he co-founded. These initiatives have supported the innovation and entrepreneurial journeys of thousands of Sierra Leoneans. Global Minimum's flagship project, Innovate Challenges, was the first competition created to foster a culture of innovation among high-school students in Africa, and the organization was one of three winners out of 1,000 nominees for the Rockefeller Foundation Next Century Innovators Awards.

Sengeh's entry into public service marked a new chapter at the national level. He joined the Office of the President of Sierra Leone as chief innovation officer and was subsequently named minister of education. He served as Sierra Leone's minister of basic and senior secondary education. During his tenure, he received the Best Minister Award in the World at the World Government Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, following a global due diligence process. His signature achievement as minister was ending a ban on pregnant girls attending school, a policy move reflecting his philosophy of radical inclusion.

Sengeh was appointed as the chief minister of Sierra Leone by President Julius Maada Bio. In this role, he serves as adviser to the president and vice president and collaborates with other ministries, departments, and agencies to advance the government's agenda. Internationally, he serves as chair of the advisory board for UNESCO's Global Education Monitoring Report, is a member of the executive committee of the board of the Global Partnership for Education, and co-chairs the technical committee for UNESCO's High-Level Steering Committee for Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education.

Sengeh has been recognized as a senior TED Fellow, a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, an Obama Foundation Africa Leader, a National Geographic Explorer, and in Forbes 30 Under 30 in Technology. He holds several patents and has published academic and popular articles across the fields of education, healthcare, human augmentation, and artificial intelligence. Sengeh has spoken internationally on topics related to digital governance, education, youth innovation, and inclusion. His first book, "Radical Inclusion," was published by MacMillan as part of Melinda French Gates and Flatiron Books' Moment of Lift Books.