By: Mohamed Sahr
The Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Salima Monorma Bah, has announced that Africell Sierra Leone has partnered with Sierratel to restore and modernize the state-owned telecommunications company.
Speaking at a press conference held on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, at the Miata Civic Centre in Youyi Building, Freetown, the Minister explained that the partnership will operate under a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) model. This arrangement will allow Sierratel to provide services using Africell’s existing infrastructure.
She further stated that Africell will provide an initial US$2 million to help settle staff liabilities, including salary arrears and other benefits.
“This is not privatization. Ownership remains with the people of Sierra Leone. We are reviving Sierratel without burdening taxpayers. This model delivers services faster, cheaper, and more efficiently. It creates a sustainable path to settle staff obligations and restores a national asset critical to our digital future,” she said.
The intervention comes at a time when Sierratel employees are facing significant challenges, including unpaid salary arrears, outstanding end-of-service benefits, and limited access to medical support. These issues have persisted over several years and are linked to declining operations caused by outdated infrastructure and reduced revenue.
In February, workers expressed frustration over approximately Le326 million in unpaid salaries and unresolved entitlements. Overall staff-related liabilities are estimated at US$6.3 million. The new arrangement is expected to stabilize operations and support the revival of Sierratel as a competitive player in the telecommunications sector.
Minister of Labour, Mohamed Rahman Swarray, acknowledged the severity of the crisis and its impact on workers, noting that the company’s operational decline quickly translated into financial hardship for employees.
“The moment Sierratel’s operations declined, the company became financially distressed,” he said, adding that the inability to meet staff obligations has had serious consequences for employees and their families.
Government data presented by the Ministry of Labour indicates that staff-related liabilities amount to approximately US$6.3 million, covering salary arrears, leave allowances, and other entitlements. In addition, Sierratel owes more than US$35 million to external creditors, including two Export-Import (Ex-Im) banks, with the government currently servicing those debts.
Once regarded as a backbone of Sierra Leone’s telecommunications sector, Sierratel’s decline has significantly affected both employees and service delivery, leading many customers to switch to private operators.
Despite these challenges, Minister Swarray reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting workers’ livelihoods while pursuing a sustainable strategy to revive the institution.