By: Mo Hamad Kargbo
On Thursday, August 21, 2025, the Parliamentary Committee on Communication, Technology, and Innovation, led by Honourable Boston Munda, conducted an oversight visit to assess the progress and challenges in Sierra Leone’s communication and technology sector. The committee engaged with the Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation (MoCTI), as well as mobile operators Africell and Orange Sierra Leone, to ensure accountability and alignment with national development goals.
The oversight visit began at the MoCTI, located on the eighth floor of the Youyi Building, where Minister Salima Monorma Bah delivered a comprehensive presentation. She highlighted significant strides made in the sector while also acknowledging the persistent challenges.
Minister Salima emphasized progress in the ministry’s three core areas: communication, technology, and innovation. A key achievement was the launch of Sierra Leone’s first fifth-generation (5G) open-access network, a pioneering initiative in West Africa. Unlike closed 5G networks in Ghana and Nigeria, Sierra Leone’s open-access model, implemented by One Mobile, allows multiple mobile operators and internet providers to utilize the infrastructure, fostering inclusivity and competition.
“This is a great feat, not just for the ministry, but for the parliamentary committee that approved the contract,” Minister Salima stated, noting that the initiative has drawn interest from regional counterparts.
The ministry also reported advancements in rural connectivity through the Universal Access Development Fund, which established five new communication sites in underserved areas. Additionally, the National Cybersecurity Centre has improved Sierra Leone’s global cybersecurity ranking, elevating the country to a Level 3 status.
In response to public concerns about high data costs, the ministry, with support from the World Bank, completed a cost study to develop a formula for data pricing, aiming to ensure transparency and fairness.
On the technology front, the ministry took control of government email services, providing 3,000 standardized email accounts to ministries, departments, and agencies. This move addresses previous vulnerabilities caused by reliance on private intermediaries. The upcoming Human Resource Hub platform, a homegrown solution, will enable centralized management of government staffing, including geotagged time and attendance tracking, to curb ghost worker issues and enhance accountability.
Regarding innovation, the ministry hosted its second annual Technology Summit, engaging 1,500 young people through 35 information and communication technology (ICT) short courses and an innovation challenge. Winners of the challenge will participate in an exchange program in South Korea, fostering global collaboration. The ministry is also prioritizing artificial intelligence (AI) readiness to position Sierra Leone for future technological advancements.
Despite these achievements, Minister Salima outlined significant challenges. The ministry lacks a legislative mandate to enforce digital transformation standards across government, leading to duplication and inefficiencies in technology projects. To address this, a draft Digital Government Bill is under review, with plans to present it to Parliament before the end of the year.
Similarly, the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation faces challenges due to the absence of a legislative framework, a gap the ministry aims to close with the forthcoming Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation Bill.
The minister also highlighted struggles with Sierratel and the Sierra Leone Postal Service. Sierratel’s outdated technology and significant liabilities have hindered privatization efforts, although a potential partnership with a private sector player is being considered. The Sierra Leone Postal Service, impacted by the global decline in postal services, faced financial strain after losing its main international mailing partner, Air France. A government bailout, combined with staff redundancy measures, has stabilized the agency, with plans to explore new business opportunities.
The 2021 Cybersecurity Act requires amendments to address emerging threats and establish governance oversight for the National Cybersecurity Centre. Additionally, the ministry is working with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education to ensure the Data Protection Bill is presented before any amendments to the Cybersecurity Act, as per prior parliamentary directives.
Honourable Boston Munda commended the ministry’s progress but raised concerns about mobile network operators such as Africell and Orange, which claim to provide fourth-generation (4G) and fifth-generation (5G) services, while some regions still rely on outdated second-generation (2G) and third-generation (3G) networks.
“It is not fair to customers,” Honourable Boston stated, urging the ministry to work with the National Telecommunications Authority (NaTCA) to enforce quality-of-service regulations.
He emphasized the importance of parliamentary oversight, noting that agreements such as the fiber optic cable landing and Universal Access Development Fund projects were ratified by Parliament, and Members of Parliament are responsible for monitoring their implementation. He called for stronger regulations by NaTCA, including mobile money regulations to ensure the government receives revenue from transactions, citing Orange’s reported 90 billion Leones in mobile money revenue with minimal returns to the state.
The chairman also addressed challenges with the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation, which has resisted parliamentary scrutiny, urging the ministry to clarify its activities. Regarding Sierratel and the Sierra Leone Postal Service, Honourable Boston stressed the need to revive these institutions, cautioning the Sierra Leone Postal Service against overambition and encouraging continued support for Sierratel’s resuscitation.
The committee’s visit underscores Parliament’s commitment to ensuring Sierra Leone’s communication and technology sector delivers for its citizens. With upcoming bills on digital government, the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation, and cybersecurity, both the ministry and Parliament are poised to strengthen governance and innovation.
The committee proceeded to Africell’s headquarters for further oversight, signaling a hands-on approach to addressing sectoral challenges. As Sierra Leone advances its technological infrastructure, collaboration between the ministry and Parliament will be critical in overcoming obstacles and achieving the nation’s digital transformation goals.
The committee concluded its first day of oversight engagements with a visit to Orange Sierra Leone, where Members of Parliament were briefed on the company’s modernization efforts and service delivery progress.
Earlier, the committee had visited the MoCTI and Africell before concluding the day at Orange’s headquarters in Freetown.
Welcoming the delegation, Orange Chief Executive Officer Sekou Amadou Bah thanked Parliament and the Government of Sierra Leone for their support during recent operational challenges. He explained that the company had faced two major difficulties in the past year: network modernization and the energy crisis, which temporarily affected service quality.
“We were changing all our equipment nationwide while also struggling with an energy crisis that hit Sierra Leone,” Bah noted. “Fuel shortages and theft at generator sites worsened the situation. But today, we are out of that crisis, and our network is much more stable.”
According to Bah, Orange has upgraded all its sites to 4G technology, with the network fully 5G-ready once licenses are approved. The company also plans to solarize all its sites to reduce fuel dependence and improve reliability. Additionally, over 80 new sites are expected to be launched in 2025, including 140 “Deep Rural” sites to connect remote areas.
Bah assured Members of Parliament that independent assessments have confirmed significant improvements in Orange’s network performance compared to the previous year. Senior staff at Orange also delivered a presentation on the company’s progress.
Committee Chairman Honourable Boston Munda praised Orange for its transparency and progress, noting the positive work environment and strong staff capacity observed during the tour.
“We know the challenges Orange has faced, but we can also see the progress made,” he said. “The work environment here is impressive and conducive for staff. Most importantly, Parliament is focused on the quality of service that reaches our people. Orange must continue to ensure subscribers benefit from these improvements.”