Freetown, Sierra Leone – 19 November 2025: Sierra Leone’s Parliament has taken a strong stand to protect ordinary citizens from rising internet costs by formally directing mobile giants Orange and Africell to reconsider scrapping the popular Le 60 (1MBPS) daily internet bundle and come up with a new, reasonably priced option that Salone people can actually afford.
The Le 60 bundle – which gave users 1MBPS speed for just sixty leones a day – was one of the cheapest internet packages in the country. Many students, small business owners, market women, okada riders and everyday Sierra Leoneans relied on it to stay connected, check prices online, do school assignments, or simply browse social media. Orange and Africell say the package was only a “promotion” and not meant to last forever, but citizens have complained bitterly since it was removed, saying data has now become too expensive for the average person.
Following public outcry, Parliament stepped in. During a high-level meeting attended by MPs, journalists, civil society groups, and top officials from both companies, lawmakers gave the National Telecommunications Authority (NatCA) a clear mandate: lead the review process, make sure the voice of consumers is heard, and find a solution that keeps internet affordable while still allowing the companies to do business.
Key concerns raised at the meeting:
– Poor network coverage in many parts of the country, especially in rural chiefdoms and some parts of Freetown
– Lack of proper customer care and little explanation when services change
– The sudden removal of the Le 60 bundle without offering a similar low-cost replacement
Hon. Boston Munda, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Communication and Technology, told the gathering: “We must strike a balance – protect our people and at the same time create an environment where investors feel welcome.”
He directed NatCA to closely monitor the process and ensure the telecom companies act in good faith.
NatCA Director General, Mr Amara Brewah, assured Parliament that his office is already engaging Orange and Africell.
“We are pushing them to show real commitment to the welfare of Sierra Leoneans,” he said.
Both Orange and Africell explained some of their own challenges, including high operational costs, taxes, and the need to upgrade infrastructure, but they promised to go back and work on new proposals.
What happens next?
Orange and Africell have been ordered to submit fresh recommendations to Parliament very soon. NatCA will oversee the talks to make sure any new package is truly affordable and accessible to the ordinary Sierra Leonean.
For many citizens, this parliamentary intervention is welcome news. Affordable internet is no longer a luxury, it is essential for education, business, and staying informed in today’s Sierra Leone.
