By: Mamajah Jalloh
The National Telecommunications Authority (NaTCA) has unveiled advanced telecommunications equipment to strengthen spectrum management, improve mobile network quality, and enhance regulatory oversight of Sierra Leone’s telecommunications sector.
The equipment was unveiled on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at NaTCA Tower in Freetown. It was provided under the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project, funded by the World Bank, as part of efforts to improve digital connectivity, strengthen institutional capacity, and ensure that telecommunications operators deliver reliable services to consumers.
The ceremony brought together Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, Minister of Communications, Technology and Innovation Salima Bah, National Coordinator of the Digital Transformation Project Kumba Lilian Musa, NaTCA Director-General Amara Brewah, representatives of the World Bank, telecommunications operators, and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Minister Sengeh stressed the importance of transparency, accountability, and reliable technical data in addressing persistent challenges affecting telecommunications services across the country.
He said the new equipment would enable NaTCA to independently monitor network performance, detect harmful interference, and hold licensed operators accountable for the quality of services they provide.
According to him, the technology would strengthen accountability across the telecommunications sector, from service providers to the regulator, the Ministry of Communications, Technology and Innovation, and the government.
The Chief Minister emphasised that investments in telecommunications infrastructure must translate into tangible benefits for ordinary citizens, particularly those in rural and remote communities that continue to experience connectivity challenges.
He disclosed that Sierra Leone’s fibre-optic infrastructure had expanded by approximately 80 per cent since 2019, while 3G coverage had increased from about 60 per cent to 100 per cent. He also said 4G coverage had risen to more than 90 per cent, with 5G services increasingly available in metropolitan areas.
However, he noted that infrastructure expansion must be accompanied by improved service delivery to ensure that citizens receive reliable and affordable telecommunications services.
NaTCA Director-General Amara Brewah said the equipment would significantly strengthen the authority’s technical capacity to monitor spectrum usage, investigate harmful interference, and independently assess the quality of telecommunications services.
The equipment includes a mobile spectrum monitoring system, an automated spectrum management system, mobile quality-of-service measurement equipment, drive-test kits, spectrum analyzers, and other specialized monitoring tools.
Brewah explained that the mobile spectrum monitoring system would help identify unauthorized spectrum use and interference affecting telecommunications, broadcasting, and other essential services.
He added that the automated spectrum management system would modernize frequency allocation, licensing, billing, and technical analysis, while the quality-of-service equipment would enable NaTCA to assess network coverage, internet speeds, call-drop rates, and other performance indicators independently.
National Coordinator Kumba Lilian Musa said the project had provided two major forms of support: advanced technical equipment and an institutional gap assessment aimed at strengthening NaTCA’s organizational structure, staffing, financial management, and technical capacity.
She described the interventions as complementary investments designed to ensure that the authority had both the necessary technology and the institutional capacity to regulate the rapidly evolving telecommunications sector effectively.
Minister Salima Bah said the investment formed part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen regulatory institutions, protect consumers, and encourage private-sector investment in the digital economy.
She noted that acquiring modern equipment alone would not be sufficient without an effective regulatory framework and the institutional capacity to enforce existing rules.
The minister also highlighted other digital transformation initiatives, including improvements to local internet traffic routing, which are intended to reduce costs and strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure.
The ceremony concluded with a technical demonstration of the newly acquired equipment. Stakeholders expressed hope that its effective deployment would improve network performance, promote fair competition among telecommunications operators, and strengthen consumer protection.
The initiative is expected to provide NaTCA with better tools to identify service deficiencies, monitor compliance with regulatory standards, and support efforts to improve the quality and reliability of telecommunications services across Sierra Leone.