As part of its involvement in the 2025 International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) held from June 23–25, 2025 in Berlin, the Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) of Sierra Leone held a strategic bilateral meeting with Prof. Dr. Louisa Specht Riemenschneider, Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (Bundesbeauftragte für den Datenschutz und Informationsfreiheit, BfDI) of the Federal Republic of Germany and her team.
The conversation provided a forum to exchange insights on both access to information (ATI) and data protection regimes, discussing how each country navigates transparency, privacy, and public trust in digital governance.
Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, Chairman and Information Commissioner of RAIC, outlined the origins of Sierra Leone’s Right to Access Information Act of 2013. He referenced the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) findings after the civil war, which pointed to government information opacity as a contributing factor to the conflict. This led to the TRC’s recommendation for ATI legislation and the eventual creation of RAIC.
Dr. Shaw also noted RAIC’s enforcement actions under the ATI law, including recent compliance measures taken against high profile institutions in the country citing the recent Bank of Sierra Leone case which his Commission won. The RAIC boss noted that his Commission is excited about the bilateral cooperation between the two institutions to share best practice in ATI and Data Protection, adding that his team is particularly keen to learn about the later as his country is just about to enact a data protection law.
Prof. Dr. Specht Riemenschneider elaborated on the BfDI’s approach: Germany’s data protection framework is grounded in both advisory functions and supervisory powers. While her office can launch investigations and impose fines under the GDPR and German Data Protection Act (BDSG), it lacks authority to levy sanctions concerning freedom-of-information matters. She emphasized that Germany’s ATI and data protection laws are designed to complement one another, avoiding legal conflicts. She added that the German public institutions are mostly compliant with the ATI law making it not too necessary to impose sanctions.
Looking ahead, Dr. Shaw announced that Sierra Leone will host ICIC 2026, and that RAIC intends to seek support for the event in collaboration with GIZ, Germany’s development agency, which operates a country office in Sierra Leone.
Both sides expressed commitment to continuing joint efforts in policy exchange, institutional capacity building, and digital governance initiatives.
RAIC’s proactive role at ICIC 2025 and its plans to stage ICIC 2026 reflect Sierra Leone’s strong dedication to strengthening access to information and responsible data practices on the international stage.
For media inquiries, contact:
David Patrick Kamara
Manager, Public Information and Communications
Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) National Secretariat
+23278407847
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