Parliament Holds 2026 Stakeholder Engagement to Drive Inclusive Digital Transformation

The Parliamentary Committee on Communications, Technology, and Innovation held the 2026 Stakeholders’ Engagement on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Atlantic Beach Hotel, bringing together government officials, regulators, mobile network operators (MNOs), and other sector players to advance Sierra Leone’s digital transformation agenda. The meeting’s theme was “Forging an Inclusive Digital Future: Ensuring Access, Quality of Service, and Affordability in Sierra Leone’s Communications Ecosystem.”

Director Sheku Lamin Turay, who served as master of ceremonies, began the event by thanking participants for coming and praising the committee’s leadership for organising a timely forum. He described the meeting as an important opportunity to focus on improving mobile network operations nationwide and urged attendees to contribute constructive, solution-oriented input.
Hon. Boston Munda, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Communications, Technology, and Innovation, stated that the engagement was intended to improve service delivery and protect consumers. Munda reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to providing quality mobile network services and carrying out Parliament’s oversight mandate in support of the country’s digital transformation. He expressed his hope that the discussions would result in actionable recommendations for improving network performance and protecting users.
Hon. Mathew Nyuma, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, praised MNOs for maintaining current tariffs in the face of global cost pressures caused by the ongoing Iran-American conflict. He welcomed the meeting and encouraged the committee to compile its findings into a formal report that could be tabled in Parliament for immediate action. Nyuma emphasised the importance of engagement in informing policy directions and potential legislation, and he advocated for practical, forward-thinking solutions that went beyond data presentations. He also emphasised recent infrastructure gains, particularly the expansion of fibre services, and reaffirmed Parliament’s role as a defender of consumer interests, emphasising the need to update or strengthen outdated policies and to collaborate with industry on the adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Madam Salima M. Bah, Minister of Communications, Technology, and Innovation, described the engagement as a valuable forum for addressing operational challenges faced by MNOs, particularly those related to service delivery and affordability. She highlighted notable sector achievements, such as the extension of the national fibre backbone to 14 of the country’s 16 districts and the significant expansion of metro services. The Ministry is collaborating with the World Bank on a $50 million project to establish a second fibre backbone landing, with the goal of improving regional connectivity by expanding coverage to neighbouring Guinea and Liberia.
Despite these gains, Minister Bah identified ongoing challenges, such as disparities between network coverage and actual utilisation, affordability and availability issues, and exposure to high global prices. With approximately 3.4 million subscribers currently on the market, she believes the government must pursue strategic reforms to maintain and accelerate progress. The Minister advocated for infrastructure protection measures, including penalties for fibre cable vandalism, and urged the National Telecommunications Authority (NaTCA) to promote shared infrastructure and facility co-location among MNOs to improve efficiency and lower costs. She expressed optimism that the subscriber base could reach 6 million by 2028, assuming continued reform and investment.
During his keynote address, Clerk of Parliament Karmoh K. Conteh praised the committee for its consistent oversight work and emphasised that Parliament’s supervisory role should go beyond routine status checks of ministries, departments, and agencies. Conteh stated that, while MNOs are commercial entities, Parliament must ensure they meet tax obligations and provide quality services to citizens while always operating within the law. He urged the committee to work with his office to hold service providers and government partners accountable, and he reiterated his support for committees that produce substantive oversight reports.
During the engagement, representatives from the MNO sector and other stakeholders provided presentations and statements expressing optimism about future operational improvements and proposing innovative, practical solutions to current constraints. Topics discussed included the expansion of fibre infrastructure, measures to improve network utilisation and affordability, improved consumer protection mechanisms, and the need for regulatory support to facilitate infrastructure sharing and technological adoption.
The meeting concluded with a request for the committee to synthesise discussions into a parliamentary report that would guide legislative and policy actions. Stakeholders called for collaboration among the government, regulators, and operators to ensure that infrastructure investments result in accessible, affordable, and dependable services for Sierra Leoneans. Parliamentarians expressed a willingness to take action where necessary to update policy, enforce compliance, and support initiatives aimed at charting the country’s inclusive digital future.