President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has officially relaunched Sierratel as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) through a strategic partnership with Africell, marking the return of the state-owned telecom company to Sierra Leone’s communications market.
The relaunch took place on Tuesday 5 May 2026 at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown and is aimed at expanding access to telecommunications services, improving network reliability, enhancing competition, and creating employment opportunities, especially for young people.
President Bio described the move as a forward-looking step to reposition the country’s telecommunications sector for modern demands, stressing that Sierratel remains a key national asset with historical importance in connecting the country.
He noted that the decision was not about privatization but about restoring and repositioning Sierratel within a competitive digital environment, while also assuring workers that outstanding obligations would be addressed in a structured and transparent manner.
The President also highlighted the benefits of the MVNO model, which allows Sierratel to deliver services such as voice, data, and mobile money using existing infrastructure while maintaining its national identity.
As part of the ceremony, a symbolic US$2 million cheque was presented to represent support for unpaid Sierratel workers, alongside the presentation of a special Sierratel SIM card to the President, offering one-year unlimited internet access.
Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Salima Bah, described the initiative as a practical public-private partnership designed to restore Sierratel’s operations, expand access, and strengthen competition in the telecom sector.
The relaunch is seen as a key step in Sierra Leone’s digital transformation agenda, aimed at promoting innovation, inclusion, and sustainable growth in the communications industry.
