Freetown, Sierra Leone – April 15, 2026 — The Government of Sierra Leone has officially announced the relaunch of Sierratel, the country’s national telecommunications operator, under a new private sector partnership designed to revive operations and strengthen digital infrastructure.
The announcement followed a strategic meeting with Sierratel staff and representatives from the Ministry of Employment.
Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Haja Salima Monorma Bah, confirmed that an agreement has been reached to reposition the company under a modern and sustainable operating model.
As an immediate measure, an advance payment of USD 2 million will be disbursed to begin clearing outstanding staff liabilities, currently estimated at approximately USD 6.3 million. This initial injection aims to provide relief to workers facing salary arrears and help stabilise the company’s operations.
Officials have described the initiative as the “beginning of a new era” for Sierratel and Sierra Leone’s telecommunications sector. The partnership is expected to restore operational capacity, safeguard national telecom assets, improve service delivery, introduce greater efficiency and innovation, and support broader digital transformation across the country.
Sierratel has faced significant challenges in recent years, including financial difficulties, obsolete infrastructure, and service disruptions, which have eroded public confidence.
The new private sector-backed model seeks to address these issues by bringing in commercial expertise and long-term sustainability.
The relaunch process, including the involvement of the private partner, is expected to accelerate by the end of April 2026. This move aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to modernise key state enterprises through public-private collaborations.
Further details regarding the identity of the private sector partner and the full terms of the operating model are anticipated in the coming weeks.
