By Mariama Bundu
The Initiative in Capacity Building Association International (ICBAI) has announced that Sierra Leone will participate in the 2026 World Spelling Bee Championships, scheduled to take place in Shanghai, China, this July, following a formal invitation extended to African countries.
The invitation, addressed to the African Spelling Bee Council by the Spelling Bee of China, calls on member countries to take part in the global competition, which will bring together top student spellers from across the world, including participants from Asia, North America, and other regions.
The event is expected to be hosted at a leading international school campus in Shanghai and will also promote cultural exchange, leadership, and global awareness among young participants.
According to ICBAI, Sierra Leone will send at least ten pupils to represent the country. As a member of the African Spelling Bee Consortium, the delegation will first assemble in South Africa before traveling to China for the championship.
Speaking on the development, the Founder and CEO of ICBAL, Mrs. Isata Musu Harding, said the organization adopted the Spelling Bee project as a strategic effort to promote the use of English in Sierra Leone while creating opportunities for students, especially girls.
With the theme “Catch Them Young,” she emphasized that the initiative focuses on empowering children by equipping them with the tools needed to overcome challenges and fully access their rights.
She noted that restoring confidence among young girls remains a central goal of the programme.
“Empowering children in Sierra Leone is essential for national transformation. While girls have the ability to address the challenges they face, they need the right support to succeed,” she stated. “Our aim is not just to provide temporary help, but to equip them with lasting skills for the future.”
Mrs. Harding further explained that the programme promotes a strong grassroots movement aimed at addressing the many challenges facing children in the country. It also encourages a culture of prevention while equipping participants with life skills necessary for self-reliance.
The Spelling Bee competition is open to pupils between the ages of 4 and 21. It features a team-based format in which schools compete in preliminary, semifinal, and final rounds, followed by an individual knockout stage involving the top two spellers from each team to determine the overall school champion.
ICBAI highlighted Sierra Leone’s growing success in international spelling competitions, noting that the country has participated in events such as the African Spelling Bee in Uganda and the Intercontinental Spelling Bee, where Sierra Leonean contestants have won medals and certificates between 2022 and 2024.
The organization also revealed that thousands of children across Sierra Leone benefit annually from spelling programmes aired on radio and television, as well as competitions held at district, regional, and national levels.
Meanwhile, the National Communications Authority (NCA) has officially launched a fundraising campaign in support of ICBAI’s participation in the global event, aimed at ensuring that the country’s delegation is fully prepared for the international stage.
ICBAI continues to organize spelling competitions for pupils at elementary, junior, and university levels, providing students with valuable academic experience and building their confidence to compete globally.
The 2026 World Spelling Bee Championships are also expected to serve as a platform for discussions on the possible establishment of a World Spelling Bee Federation, further strengthening international collaboration in academic development.
