Independence Day Honors 2025: Sierra Leone’s Trailblazers

As Sierra Leoneans celebrate this Independence Day, we highlight the individuals driving change and progress at home and abroad. From innovators to community leaders, these Sierra Leoneans are positively impacting the world. We celebrate their achievements and the future they are shaping.

“When I look at the individuals on this list, each one is a source of inspiration and awe. I chose individuals with an undeniable and irrefutable record of not just doing but high achievement. They’ve raised the bar across their respective fields, affirming my belief that of all Sierra Leone’s great resources, our people are its brightest gems. I’m proud to share this year’s Independence Day Honors List curated by my team and me. Any omission is unintentional and without malice.” – Vickie Remoe. 

Who is a Sierra Leonean trailblazer 

A Sierra Leonean trailblazer is an individual who openly embraces their Sierra Leonean heritage, actively excels in their respective fields during the years 2023-2024, pioneers unprecedented achievements, sets new standards, and makes a significant impact both locally and globally. They are unique and unparalleled, akin to a unicorn, with no one else possessing their distinct qualities.

About the Sierra Leone Independence Day 2025 Honors List 

The 2025 Honors List is presented by VR&C Marketing Company, Sierra Leone’s premier PR, communications, and digital marketing strategist in partnership with SwitSalone, Sierra Leone’s leading online news and entertainment platform. It was founded in 2005 by Vickie Remoe and serves as a portal for both local and international communities. The platform is known for its coverage of Sierra Leonean news and entertainment, and it also features articles and opinions on a range of topics, including business, culture, and politics.

Meet Sierra Leone’s Trailblazers

1.David Moinina Sengeh- Chief Minister of Sierra Leone

David Moinina Sengeh is one of Sierra Leone’s leading minds in innovation, education, and governance. A biomedical engineer, social entrepreneur, and public servant, he currently serves as the Chief Minister of Sierra Leone, appointed by President Julius Maada Bio in 2023. 

Before this, he held the role of Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and was the country’s first-ever Chief Innovation Officer, spearheading efforts to use technology and data to transform public service delivery. 

Born and raised in Sierra Leone, Sengeh’s academic journey took him from UWC Red Cross Nordic to Harvard University, where he studied biomedical engineering, and then to the MIT Media Lab for his PhD. His groundbreaking research on designing comfortable prosthetic limbs earned him recognition from TED, Forbes 30 Under 30, and the Lemelson-MIT Prize. His innovations were inspired by victims of Sierra Leone’s civil war and tested by Boston Marathon bombing survivors. 

David is also the co-founder and president of Global Minimum (GMin), a nonprofit that empowers African youth through innovation challenges such as A De Mek Am (Innovate Salone). Through GMin, he has mentored young inventors like Kelvin Doe, bringing Sierra Leonean ingenuity to global stages like MIT and Maker Faire. 

Beyond the lab and government, Sengeh’s work spans youth development, education reform, and AI-driven healthcare solutions. As TED Fellow, former IBM Research Africa scientist, and public speaker at platforms like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, he continues to champion a future where innovation is made in Africa, by Africans, for Africans and the world.

2.Drizilik – Award-Winning Artist, Sierra Leone’s King of Kriofusion Music

Born Benjamin Menelik George in Freetown, Drizilik is the breakout star of Sierra Leone’s Kriofusion music. Fusing traditional goombay, milo jazz, and bubu sounds with hip-hop and Afrobeats, Drizilik has carved out a unique musical identity defined by sharp lyricism, infectious energy, and deep reverence for Krio culture. 

His award-winning debut album Shukubly, earned him acclaim for its cultural metaphors and storytelling, establishing him as a leader of the new wave of Sierra Leonean artists. As a versatile rapper and singer, Drizilik continues to push creative boundaries with hits like Ashobi featuring Idris Elba, Move Right with Big Zuu, and his most recent hit Lemonade featuring The Therapist. 

Drizilik is Sierra Leone’s most-streamed home-based artist on Audiomack, with over 10 million streams and 73,000 monthly listeners. From headlining at London’s Clapham Grand to performing on global stages like YouTube Africa Day Concert, Drizilik is taking Sierra Leonean music where it’s never gone before. 

His latest afro-fusion EP Wait and See cements his place as one of Africa’s brightest musical talents, brilliantly blending upbeat rhythms with introspective wordplay. As Sierra Leone celebrates its independence, Drizilik stands tall as a symbol of resilience, creativity, and global ambition. 

3.Hannah Max-Macarthy – Entrepreneur and Clean Cooking Advocate, Westwind Energy

Hannah Max-Macarthy is the driving force behind Westwind Energy Limited, leading the charge toward a cleaner, more sustainable future in Sierra Leone. Since 2012, she has spearheaded groundbreaking innovations in energy-efficient cookstoves, transforming how communities cook while tackling indoor air pollution, deforestation, and carbon emissions.

Her journey into sustainable energy began with a personal loss- her mother’s passing from smoke-related illness caused by indoor pollution. This tragedy fueled her passion for clean cooking solutions, leading her to co-found Westwind Energy after meeting Taspsir N’Jai and learning about Wonder Stoves, a brand his family had pioneered in 1990. Recognising an opportunity to expand the brand’s impact, she and Tapsir took over the business, determined to develop even more efficient, life-saving cookstoves. 

One of Westwind Energy’s most significant innovations was the standing stove, designed to replace the traditional “bell bottom” KCJ model. Introducing an elevated cooking surface and built-in ashtray eliminated discomfort and manual ash removal, making cooking safer and more efficient. Although the stove production of that model ceased four years ago, its impact remains as over 200 families continue to earn a livelihood by manufacturing it locally. The Standing Stove is not totally gone. Westwind Energy has incorporated the elevation design aspect into their most recent stoves which will come to the market later this year. 

Westwind Energy’s institutional stoves have been a game-changer for schools, replacing inefficient three-stone fires with safer, fuel-efficient alternatives. In one urban school, fuel consumption dropped from 75 to 15 bunches of wood daily, saving $6,000 in just two years. 

Today, these stoves are used in over 60 school kitchens, benefitting more than 30,000 people annually. Westwind Energy’s cookstoves contribute to an annual reduction of 15,000 tons of CO2, positioning the company as a leader in the fight against climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Through innovation, community engagement, and a relentless drive to improve lives, she pushes the boundaries of what’s possible, proving that clean energy solutions can be both impactful and economically viable. 

4.Ibrahim Cole- Engineer, Executive Power Behind Sierra Leone’s Largest Industrial Acquisition

Ibrahim Cole is the Executive Director of Sierra Rutile, the World’s largest rutile producer, and the Managing Director of Leonoil Company Ltd, one of Sierra Leone’s leading oil marketing companies. 

A strategic thinker and leader, Cole made history in 2024 by spearheading the successful takeover of Sierra Rutile, through an off-market bid, transitioning ownership from an Australian-listed company to a 100% Sierra Leonean-owned company.

Under his leadership, Leonoil, which is headquartered in Freetown, acquired over 90% of Sierra Rutile shares, triggering a landmark compulsory acquisition process. The deal marked a major shift towards local ownership of national resources and redefined the future direction of one of the country’s most valuable mineral assets. 

As Managing Director of Leonoil, Cole oversees corporate strategy, operations, and stakeholder relations, serving as the key link between the board, government entities, and the public. His role at the intersection of energy and mining makes him one of the most influential business leaders in Sierra Leone today. 

Beyond the boardroom, Cole is also the Co-Founder of Puzzle Pieces SL, a non-profit organization established in 2019 to raise awareness about autism in Sierra Leone. Through advocacy, financial support, and educational outreach, Puzzle Pieces SL is helping change perceptions and improve access for children on the autism spectrum. 

From reshaping Sierra Leone’s industrial landscape to championing inclusivity, Ibrahim Cole exemplifies a new generation of Sierra Leonean leaders. They are bold, homegrown, and visionary! 

5.Francis Tiafoe Jr- Sierra Leonean-American Tennis Star

Frances Tiafoe Jr. is a trailblazer in international tennis and a symbol of Sierra Leonean pride. Born to Sierra Leonean parents who immigrated to the US during the country’s civil war, Tiafoe rose from humble beginnings to become the first Sierra Leone American man ranked in the ATP Top 10. 

In his childhood, he and his twin brother Franklin grew up at the Junior Tennis Champions Centre (JTCC) in Maryland, where their father worked as part of the construction crew of the site. Once completed, their father, Constant Taifoe was made the on-site custodian of the space and given a spare office to live in at the centre. This allowed the Taifoe brothers to have access to tennis training easily. With early coaching and relentless determination, Frances began training seriously at age 5, reaching No. 2 in the International Tennis Federation junior ranking. 

At age 15, Tiafoe became the youngest-ever winner of the Orange Bowl, a prestigious junior tournament. By 17, he had earned a wild card into the main draw of 2015 US Open after winning the USTA Junior National Championship. 

In June 2023, he reached World No.10 in singles, an extraordinary milestone that marked his arrival among tennis’s elite. Known for his electrifying energy, Taifoe has captured three ATP tour titles; his breakout win at the 2018 Delray Beach Open, followed by victories in Houston and in Stuttgart in 2023. He’s also reached quarter finals of the Australian Open and the semifinals of the US Open, showing his consistency and ability to perform on the biggest stages. 

Frances Taifoe’s success reminds the world that greatness can come from anywhere, even from a tennis centre where a young boy with a dream picked up a racquet and never looked back. 

6.Idris Elba – Hollywood Superstar, Sierra Leone’s Global Ambassador

Idris Elba is a global icon whose journey from East London to international fame is deeply rooted in his African heritage. Born to a Sierra Leonean father and a Ghanaian mother, Elba has never shied away from embracing his roots. 

Best known for his commanding roles as Stringer Bell in The Wire and DCI John Luther in Luther, Elba’s work spans Hollywood blockbusters, indie dramas, and voice-overs in global animated hits like Zootopia and Finding Dory. With over $9.8 billion in global box office earnings, he’s among the top 20 highest-grossing actors of all time. 

Beyond the screen, Elba is deeply committed to Afrca’s creative future. He’s spearheading plans to build film studios in Zanzibar and Accra, aiming to empower Africa storytellers and grow the continent’s film industry. As he told the BBC, Elba plans to relocate to Africa within the next decade to be closer to this work. 

Aside from this, Elba is building an eco-city in Sherbro Island along with Siaka Stevens, the grandson of Sierra Leone’s former president, Siaka Probyn Stevens. They’ve joined forces with Octopus Energy, focusing on renewable energy sources like wind and solar power to provide electricity to the island residents. 

A proud son of Sierra Leone and Ghana, Idris Elba is not just representing Africa on the world stage; he is helping build the stage itself. 

7.Akindele Decker- Sierra Leonean Writer and Poet

Born in Freetown to Krio parents of Fula, Themne, and Yoruba descent, Akindele Decker’s earliest inspiration came from his grandfather’s Tales of the Forest, a collection of West African folk stories featuring interesting characters like Bra Rabbit and Bra Spider. Those vibrant tales, rooted in his own heritage, sparked a passion for storytelling long before Disney captured his imagination. 

Educated at Sierra Leone Grammar School, Akindele relocated to the US in his teens. By ninth grade, he was writing poetry. By senior year, he had drafted over 300 poems exploring identity, history, and the African immigrant experience. At just 15, his poem, “What If” was published in 1998, marking his first breakthrough. In 2004, the International Library of Poetry honoured him with an Editor’s Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement. 

A skilled performer as well as a writer, Akindele took the stage in 2012 at Busboys & Poets in Washington, D.C, with “Dancing in Blue Waters,” a moving homage to the Middle Passage. In 2016, he contributed to the ONE Campaign commissioned by the GWB Foundation, celebrating Sierra Leone’s rich ancestral tapestry.

Most recently, he co-authored 20 Icons of Sierra Leone that Shaped History and 20 Women Icons of Sierra Leone who Shaped History. He also wrote Why Mr. Bird Chose the Air, further cementing his role as a vital voice in preserving and promoting Sierra Leonean culture. 

8.Big Zuu- Entertainer and Entrepreneur 

Big Zuu, also known as Zuhair Hassan, is a British-Sierra Leonean rapper, DJ, presenter, and BAFTA-winning TV personality who blends street-smart lyrics with soulful storytelling. Born and raised in West London to a Sierra Leonean mother and Lebanese father, Zuu grew up on grime. 

His early music days were shaped in the local youth centre where he was forced to rap without expletives, which shaped his unique style. He joined the My Team Paid (MTP) rap crew alongside his cousin AJ Tracey. In 2021, his studio album Navigate showcased his creativity in grime, hip hop, and storytelling. He’s also featured in KSI’s hit single Uncontrollable, bringing energy to the track.  

But Zuu didn’t stop at music. He became a household name with Big Zuu’s Big Eats, a feel-good cooking show where he serves good food and laughs with UK comedians. The show earned him two BAFTA TV Awards in 2022 and opened doors to other projects like Big Zuu Goes to Mecca, a deeply personal documentary showing his pilgrimage and reflections on his Islamic faith. 

Beyond entertainment, Big Zuu proudly embraces his Sierra Leonean heritage, blending it into his art through Kriofusion music. He has collaborated with Drizilik on tracks like Move Right and Raray Life Pt. 2 with PS Hitsquad, using music as a bridge between cultures. 

Whether through music or his love for food, Big Zuu continues to inspire the next generation.   

9.Mohamed Samoura- Banking Leader

With nearly 20 years of experience in Sierra Leone’s banking sector, Mohamed Alhajie Samoura is reshaping the future of finance in the country. In 2024, he became the first Sierra In Leonean in 15 years to be officially appointed as Managing Director and CEO of UBA Sierra Leone. 

Samoura’s journey is marked by passion, performance, and purpose. From his early days in banking to serving as Executive Director for Business Development at UBA, he always championed excellence and customer-driven innovation. 

Under his guidance, UBA SL was named Bank of the Year by The Banker (Financial Times UK) in 2023 and earned awards for climate change action, customer service, and national development. 

Recognised as one of the 100 Most Outstanding Executives by the Sierra Leone Ovation Awards and among the 10 Most Influential Sierra Leoneans by Salone Times Newspaper, Samoura’s influence goes beyond the Boardroom. In 2025, he was elected President and Chairman of the Sierra Leone Association of Commercial Banks, affirming his role as a key voice in shaping the financial future of Sierra Leone. 

10.Sai Sankoh – Fashion Designer

Sai Sankoh is more than a designer; she’s a visionary redefining women’s wear through a bold blend of vintage glamour, African vibrancy, and modern sophistication. Sai’s early life was shaped by resilience. Her family fled Sierra Leone’s civil war when she was nine, settling first in Ghana, and eventually the US, where Sai arrived in Fairfax, Virginia, at age 15. 

Though she trained and worked as a pediatric nurse for eight years, fashion remained her true passion. From fashion blogging in 2009 to a part-time job at Saks Fifth Avenue, Sai absorbed the language of fashion and luxury. 

In 2018, she leaped, leaving stability behind to launch Sai Sankoh, a fashion label devoted to elevated resort wear that empowers women to feel fabulous wherever they are. 

Sai Sankoh offers a versatile range of timeless pieces that flatter every age, size, and style. Each collection is designed for every occasion, from flowing dresses and chic kaftans to tailored coats, coordinated sets, and elegant bottoms. Their signature rich, colourful prints add a bold statement to any wardrobe, and every purchase supports talented Tanzanian artists. Celebrated names like Tabitha Brown, Gabrielle Union, Vickie Remoe, and Tamron Hall have all been spotted wearing Sai Sankoh’s stunning designs. 

Designed for every body type and inspired by the vibrant markets of Sierra Leone, her collections embrace colour, curves, and couture-level detail. 

Today, Sai Sankoh is a globally recognised brand rooted in African elegance. More than clothing, it’s a movement of self-expression for women who dare to shine. 

11.Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr – Mayor of Freetown

Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr is a trailblazing leader whose vision and tenacity is shaping Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown. First elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2023, she has led with transparency, data, and unwavering commitment to sustainable urban development. 

A chartered Accountant with over 25 years of global experience in finance and strategy, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr returned home with a purpose. Her award-winning “Transform Freetown” agenda set a new standard for African urban leadership. She turned vision into measurable impact from building the city’s first wastewater treatment plant and digitising property rate collection to planting 1.2 million trees and advancing the mass transit cable car system. 

In her second term, she is focused on transforming lives by creating 120,000 jobs for women and youth through climate change action, tourism, and the digital economy. Her leadership earned global recognition, including the 2024 German Africa Award, Forbes Sustainability Leaders 2024 List, Times 100 Climate List, and Schwab Foundation’s Public Social Innovator of the Year in 2023. 

Before her mayoral role, Aki-Sawyerr co-founded the Sierra Leone War Trust (SLWT), led strategic planning in Sierra Leone’s Ebola response, and served as Delivery Lead for the President’s Recovery Priorities post-Ebola. 

Today, she serves as Co-Chair of C40 Cities, championing global climate solutions. Through every challenge, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr continues to inspire with action, not just ambition. 

12.Foday Dumbuya – Creative Director, LABRUM London

Foday Dumbuya is a Sierra Leonean-British menswear designer who is celebrated for weaving West African heritage into British tailoring. Born in Freetown and raised across Cyprus and London, Foday’s journey, from graduating from Nottingham Trent University to working at DKNY and Nike, shaped LABRUM London, the brand Foday launched in 2014 to tell diaspora stories through clothing. 

Drawing on centuries-old techniques and traditional silhouettes like the agbada shirt, Foday infuses his collections with black joy and narratives of London’s and West Africa’s shared history. His work isn’t fashion for fashion’s sake; it’s a vehicle for unheard voices and untold stories. 

Under his leadership, LABRUM London has many collections, including a 32-piece Autumn-Winter 17 collection, and presented the collection at Men’s London Fashion Week. In 2023, Foday won the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. He also created Arsenal’s 2014/15 away kit, which is a bold fusion of Pan-African colours of red, green, and black, tribal patterns, and modern performance wear.

Foday’s vision is clear: to bridge cultures, redefine immigrant narratives, and champion inclusivity. With every garment, LABRUM London champions a borderless world where craftsmanship, culture, and creativity unite. 

13.Sidi Saccoh – Techpreneur

With over a decade of driving program design, operational strategy, and investment facilitation across Africa, MENA, and Europe, Sidi Saccoh is a respected strategist and champion for high-growth ventures. He blends rigorous analytical skills with dynamic leadership, whether running accelerators, incubators, or advising governments on kickstarting tech ecosystems. 

Most recently, he played a key role in the inaugural Startup World Cup competition held in Freetown. This was part of a government-led initiative to spotlight Sierra Leone’s rising innovation sector.   

As a recognised speaker and thought leader, Sidi regularly delivers international keynotes at universities, pitching competitions, and tech conferences. He hosts The PitchRoom Africa, a weekly Twitter Space that brings together investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers for candid conversations on the ecosystem’s toughest challenges and solutions. 

In 2024, he founded Sidi & Co., a consulting firm specializing in crafting strategic pathways for revenue growth and expansion. His prior roles include Chief Operations Officer at Fleri (U.S. fintech) and NIYO Group, where he scaled programs, built investment-ready structures, and empowered businesses of all sizes. 

An ambassador of innovation, having represented Uganda’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation during National Science Week in 2023 and the African Digital Innovation Summit, Sidi has collaborated with Seedstars, World Bank, WHO, GIZ, the African Development Bank, and more. He’s also co-authored Start-Up to Growth: A Comprehensive Guide to Start and Grow Your Business. 

Whether designing programs, mobilizing capital, or mentoring founders, Sidi’s expertise lies in transforming bold ideas into scalable realities and building systems that make them thrive. 

14.Isatu Smith – Cultural Heritage Custodian and Advocate

Isatu Smith has devoted her career to preserving Sierra Leone’s rich cultural heritage. From 2014 to 2018, she served as Chairman of the Monuments and Relics Commission, where her energetic leadership and deep expertise guided efforts to safeguard historic sites nationwide.

A Fourah Bay College alumna and former Research Teaching Assistant, Isatu’s passion for heritage began early. She joined the Sierra Leone Gullah Kinship Association as an Education Officer, working alongside the European Union-funded team to protect Bunce Island and illuminate the ancestral ties between Sierra Leone and the Gullah communities of coastal South Carolina and Georgia in the US. 

Her tourism experience spans roles at Hotel Mammy Yoko and the National Tourist Board of Sierra Leone, where she served as Tourism Information Officer. During the civil war, Isatu spent 11 years in the US before returning home in 2011 to become Deputy Coordinator of the Bunce Island Project. There, she deepened her cultural heritage management skills and prepared for graduate study at University College London. 

Today, Isatu is a consultant and Project Manager with the World Monuments Fund’s Bunce Island Project, leading initiatives that blend historical research, community engagement, and conservation. 

With a lifelong commitment to cultural preservation, she continues to ensure Sierra Leone’s heritage endures for future generations. 

15.Peagie Foday – Founder, Peagie Woobay Scholarship Fund

Peagie Foday is an inspiration for teen mothers in Sierra Leone. At 15, Peagie became a teenage mother just as she prepared for her O-Levels. Protected and supported by her aunt, a doctor in Kenema, she survived the stigma, a difficult cesarean birth, and the sudden absence of her childhood. Yet, Peagie refused to be defined by her circumstances. After returning briefly to school, she left Sierra Leone for France, earned a degree in administration, spent 12 years as a project manager, then moved to Sweden. But while doing all of this, she carried a dream to uplift girls like herself back home. 

In 2013, she founded the Peagie Woobay Scholarship Fund (PWSF), a nonprofit registered in Sierra Leone, Sweden, and the USA. PWSF offers scholarships to girls who otherwise drop out of school, especially teenage mothers. The organization covers tuition, books, uniforms, and even daycare so young moms can return to class. Beyond formal schooling, PWSF’s learning centres teach handicrafts, provide microloans for startups, and deliver community education on early pregnancy prevention and the dangers of child marriage. 

Peagie’s memoir Thursday’s Child- My Journey So Far (2018). Shares her story of resilience and is fueled by her commitment to transform victimhood into triumph. Now married with three children and based in Sweden, she is rebranding Sierra Leone through cultural exhibitions and fundraising events, showcasing Sierra Leone’s culture to the world. PSWF has empowered over 200 beneficiaries, sent more than 52 teen moms back to school, 10 to college, and more than 130 mentees learning new trades. 

Driven by consistency, action, and hard work, Peagie Foday is redefining what’s possible for Sierra Leonean girls one scholarship at a time. 

16.Benedict Solomon- CEO of Eminence Africa and Afro technology & Logistics

Benedict Ian Solomon is a visionary entrepreneur at the intersection of technology, entertainment, and youth empowerment in Sierra Leone. As the CEO and founder of Afro Technology & Logistics (ATL) and Eminence Africa Entertainment (EAE), he is blazing a trail for innovation and creative excellence.

What began in 2012 with a small team at the backseat of a car has grown into ATL, a solutions-driven tech company offering services that range from GPS vehicle tracking, biometric systems, and CCTV installation to application development, digital design, and networking. ATL has grown and has served high-profile clients from Sierra Leone and the West African sub-region. 

Building his entrepreneurial success, Benedict co-founded Eminence Africa in 2019, a 360 multimedia, branding, event, and entertainment company committed to recognising and nurturing local talent. With its flagship Eminence Awards and a roster that has included stars like Drizilik, EAE has become a trusted name in Sierra Leone’s creative industry. 

In 2022, his passion for sports led him to co-found Western United Football Club, now a Division One of Sierra Leone’s football league. Across these three ventures, Benedict employs over 150 people and continues to create platforms for youth empowerment and national pride. 

Driven by passion, integrity, and creativity, Benedict continues to inspire a generation of young Sierra Loeneans to pursue innovation, embrace their roots, and lead with purpose. His dual impact in tech and entertainment makes him a standout figure in Sierra Leone’s journey toward digital and cultural transformation. 

17.Nashito Kulala- Music Producer

Joseph Sedu Koroma, professionally known as Nashito Kulala, is a 6-time award-winning producer, entertainment executive, and structural engineer. As co-founder of Hejenah Entertainment, he has helped shape the careers of top Sierra Leonean artists like Suga Lulu, ABizzy, and Rahim De Wizard. 

Since breaking out with his production on Kao Denero’s Back 2 My Roots in 2012, Nashito has worked with industry giants including Drizilik, Davido, Ice Prince, Terry G, and Star Zee earning him a reputation as one of Sierra Leone’s most decorated producers. Between 2013 and 2019, he won Producer of the Year six times. 

Beyond music, Nashito is a registered structural engineer and member of the Sierra Leone Institution of Engineers (SLIE). His passion for youth empowerment led to his appointment as Youth Ambassador in 2018, and recognition as one of Sierra Leone’s 100 Most Influential Youths. 

In 2019, he became the first global ambassador for Techafrica and co-launched Audiofrica, the country’s first music streaming app. Through his Kulala Management Group, he continues to mentor rising stars like Incredible JJ and Triple T. 

In 2025, Nashito joined Sierra Leone Talent Search, as a judge, helping discover the next generation of music stars.