Sierra Leone, located on the West African coast, covers an area of 71,740 square kilometres and is home to 8.5 million people. The population is unevenly distributed, with a high density in the Western Area urban district, including Freetown, the capital. The country is characterised by diverse terrain types, including coastal plains, mountain ranges, and plateaus, which present unique challenges for infrastructure development. In terms of telecommunications, Sierra Leone has seen significant advancements in the past decade, yet it remains in a developing state. The introduction of multiple mobile network operators has improved connectivity, especially in urban regions, but large rural areas still lack reliable access. The country is slowly adopting digital technologies, driven by government initiatives like the National Innovation and Digital Strategy. As for renewables, Sierra Leone relies heavily on hydropower, with the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project being a critical infrastructure solution, but the sector still faces issues related to operational stability and capacity expansion.
Mobile Network Operators
The are 3 companies operating mobile networks in this region.
Orange Sierra Leone is a prominent telecommunications company operating in Sierra Leone, established in 2002 as then Airtel. It is a subsidiary of Orange S.A., a French multinational telecommunications corporation known for operating one of the world's largest mobile and internet services networks. The Sierra Leone branch is part of Orange S.A.'s extensive network of subsidiaries across Africa and the Middle East. Over the years, Orange Sierra Leone has been committed to providing a wide range of telecommunications services and has played a significant role in the digital transformation of...
Sierra Leone Telecommunications Company Limited, commonly known as Sierratel, is the sole state-owned telecommunications service provider in Sierra Leone. Historically, Sierratel has played a significant role in the telecommunications landscape of the country. The company has undergone various transformations and faced numerous challenges, particularly following the liberalisation of the telecoms sector between 2011 and 2012. During this period, Sierratel lost its monopoly on mobile services, which led to increased competition from private operators. Despite its 4G network launch in 2018, the...