By Mariama Bundu
On Tuesday, 21st April 2026, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MOICE) held its weekly press conference at the Miatta Civic Centre, Youyi Building, with a focus on plans to restore Sierratel through a private sector partnership.
The Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Salima Monorma Bah, announced that the government has approved a strategic partnership between Sierratel and Africell.
She clarified that the agreement is not a privatization, but a collaboration under a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) model. This arrangement will allow Sierratel to use Africell’s infrastructure to restore and expand its services.
Minister Bah explained that the agreement will run for 10 years, with an option for a five-year renewal, and will be subject to performance reviews every five years.
She further noted that the Sierratel brand will remain unchanged, and ownership will stay with the
Government of Sierra Leone. According to her, the partnership is designed to promote affordability and healthy competition in the telecommunications sector. Under the arrangement, Sierratel will provide voice, data, and mobile money services through a revenue-sharing model.
The Minister cited Lycamobile as a global example of a successful MVNO model.
Minister Bah also revealed that Africell has provided an advance payment of $2 million to help address staff-related obligations, including salary arrears and benefits.
She emphasized that the government will reimburse Africell, as it remains responsible for settling all staff liabilities. She added that Sierratel’s revitalized services will target students and young people, particularly those in the digital and creative sectors.
Providing further details, Minister Bah disclosed that total staff obligations for 179 employees, amount to $6.3 million, of which $2 million has already been secured. She assured the public that the government is working to settle the outstanding balance.
