By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a bold move toward bridging Sierra Leone’s digital divide, Orange Sierra Leone on Friday, 31st October 2025, commissioned a new network site in Mathonkra, Tene Chiefdom, Tonkolili District, a region that had long struggled with poor communication access. The launch stands as a powerful testament to the company’s continued commitment to digital inclusion, rural connectivity and national development.
Despite difficult terrain and poor road infrastructure, Orange Sierra Leone’s Chief Executive Officer, Sekou Amadou Bah, led his team through the challenging route to personally oversee the commissioning. His presence in Mathonkra underscored the company’s resolve to connect even the most remote communities to reliable and high-speed mobile services.
Welcoming the guests, the Paramount Chief of Tene Chiefdom, P.C Bai Kafari II, praised Orange Sierra Leone for being the first telecommunications company to bring reliable connectivity to the area. He recalled the hardship residents faced, often walking miles or climbing hills just to make phone calls.
“This is a day of joy for the people of Mathonkra and the entire Tene Chiefdom,” he declared. “For too long, we lived in silence unable to communicate with our loved ones or conduct business. Today, Orange has brought us closer to the rest of the country.”
The Chief described the new site as a transformative development that would boost access to education, healthcare and livelihood opportunities. He also called on residents to protect the site from vandalism and ensure it remains a community asset for generations to come.
Also addressing the gathering, Hon. Daniel Fornah, Member of Parliament for Tonkolili District, lauded Orange Sierra Leone for prioritizing inclusivity in its service delivery. Drawing on his 18 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Hon. Daniel Fornah described the project as “a remarkable step in breaking the long-standing digital isolation of Tonkolili.”
“For many years, companies viewed Tonkolili as unviable for telecommunications investment,” he said. “Today, Orange has proven that narrative wrong.”
He explained that the site’s launch would not only connect communities but also serve as a catalyst for economic growth and employment creation. “Connectivity expands opportunity; it empowers businesses, strengthens education and improves health outcomes,” he noted.
The MP further commended the Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Madam Salima Bah, for her visionary leadership in steering national ICT expansion. He reaffirmed his commitment to support initiatives that promote digital inclusion across Tonkolili District and beyond.
In his remarks, CEO Sekou Amadou Bah described the launch as “a major milestone in Orange’s journey to connect and empower every community across Sierra Leone.”
He thanked the Government of Sierra Leone, the National Telecommunications Authority (NaTCA) and the Ministry of Communications, Technology and Innovation for their steadfast support in implementing the company’s deep-rural network expansion strategy.
“This launch is more than an expansion of our mobile network; it is about creating access: access to education, business opportunities and a better quality of life for all,” Sekou Amadou Bah said.
According to the CEO, the new network site will provide faster internet speeds and stronger connectivity to thousands across Tonkolili, including areas such as Magburaka, Bumbuna, Mile 91 and Yele. He emphasized that digital connectivity empowers youth, facilitates financial inclusion and drives innovation and entrepreneurship.
Highlighting the company’s progress, Sekou Amadou Bah revealed that Orange Sierra Leone operates over 616 sites nationwide, 70% of which are powered by green energy solutions in line with Orange Group’s global net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2040.
“In 2025 alone, we have built 40 new sites,” he disclosed. “We’ve invested over US$50 million to modernize our network, ensuring all sites are 4G-enabled and 5G-ready. This is a testament to our confidence in Sierra Leone’s digital future.”
He reaffirmed Orange’s position as a development partner committed to supporting Government efforts to build a connected, inclusive and sustainable economy.
“Together, we are building more than a network; we are building bridges of opportunity that connect people and communities,” Sekou Amadou Bah maintain.
In his closing remarks, CEO Sekou Amadou Bah extended appreciation to the people of Tonkolili for their warm reception and partnership.
“Long live the people of Tonkolili District, and long live our beloved Sierra Leone. Una tenki!” he declared, drawing loud applause from the crowd.
Delivering the keynote address, Madam Salima Bah, Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, reiterated the Government’s unwavering commitment to expanding digital access nationwide. She emphasized that communication is no longer a privilege, but a basic human right, essential to education, innovation and development.
“Connectivity should not be for a few privileged people in urban areas,” Minister Salima Bah stated. “Every Sierra Leonean, regardless of location or income, deserves the right to communicate and access information.”
She applauded the local leadership of Mathonkra for supporting the project and urged communities to take ownership of the new infrastructure.
“This site is a major investment worth thousands of dollars,” she said. “If you protect it, the company will reinvest and expand more. When they profit, they pay taxes and create jobs; that’s how national growth happens.”
Minister Salima Bah linked the initiative to President Julius Maada Bio’s digital inclusion agenda, launched in 2018, which seeks to ensure that every chiefdom in Sierra Leone has reliable mobile and internet access.
“This Government believes that communication drives education, business and development,” she noted. “When our people are connected, our nation moves forward.”
The Minister highlighted that the launch represents a long-term investment in human capital; improving access to online education, e-health services and digital finance for residents. She also announced that her Ministry plans to expand such projects, including ICT training, digital literacy programs and the installation of technology-equipped schools and health centers in underserved communities.
“Mathonkra is just the beginning,” she added. “We will continue to partner with the private sector to ensure that no community is left behind in the digital revolution.”
The event, which drew a large turnout of community elders, youth groups, local leaders and company officials, was filled with excitement and hope. Residents expressed gratitude for the life-changing project, describing it as a step toward inclusion and modernization.
The ceremony culminated in the official activation of the new network site, symbolizing the start of a new era for Mathonkra and the surrounding areas.
