President Dr Julius Maada Bio has launched a partnership between the government and telecoms operator Africell to relaunch Sierratel as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), marking a major step in efforts to revive the state-owned company.
The agreement, unveiled on Tuesday at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown, allows Sierratel to return to the market using Africell’s existing network infrastructure while remaining under full government ownership.
Under the arrangement, Africell will provide network coverage, technical support and investment, while Sierratel will manage customer services, product development and market operations. The model is designed to allow the company to restart services without significant public capital expenditure.
Africell chief executive Shadi Gerjawi said the deal represented a “milestone” and a practical way to restore Sierratel’s operations. He said the company would immediately offer voice, data and mobile money services through the new platform.
Gerjawi also said Africell would support operational restructuring, including assuming part of the company’s financial obligations to staff.
Communication Minister Salima Monorma Bah said the government had chosen a partnership model over privatisation or direct investment, describing it as a way to combine private sector efficiency with public ownership. She said the MVNO structure would allow Sierratel to generate revenue while improving service delivery.
She also confirmed an initial government commitment of $2 million to help settle staff-related obligations, adding that outstanding arrears would be addressed transparently.
President Bio said the revival of Sierratel formed part of wider reforms aimed at strengthening national infrastructure and improving connectivity. He said improved telecommunications access would support economic growth, particularly among young people.
He described Sierratel as a “strategic national asset” and said its decline reflected years of operational and technological challenges, but added that the new partnership offered a sustainable path forward.
The president said better connectivity would benefit sectors including education, healthcare, agriculture and trade, and improve access in underserved communities.
Sierratel, once the country’s main telecommunications provider, has struggled for years with financial and operational difficulties.
As part of the relaunch, Joe Abass Bangura has been appointed managing director of the MVNO operation.
Africell said the network is now operational and supported by a 24-hour customer service system.
The government says the partnership is expected to improve competition in the telecoms sector and expand access to digital services, including mobile money.
