By Claudia Redwood-Sawyerr
The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Rtd. Brigadier Julius Maada Bio on Tuesday 5th May 2026, officially launched the new Sierratel, marking the return of the state-owned telecommunications company into full operations.The move is described as a decisive step toward reviving one of the country’s most important national institutions.
Speaking at the event at the Miatta Civic Centre in Freetown, President Bio said the launch of Sierratel was not simply about restoring connectivity, but also applying innovation to solve a long-standing national problem. He said the new arrangement reflected a deliberate decision to move away from failed approaches and adopt a practical model that brings private sector innovation into service of a public institution. “What I am celebrating today is innovation. Innovation is not just about technology, It is the willingness to approach an old problem differently. Innovation is about how we do things. Today is the fruit of that conversation,” he said.
President Bio also noted that Sierratel’s decline had been years in the making, driven by institutional stagnation, aging systems and the failure to adapt to a rapidly changing telecommunications environment. “The question was never whether Sierratel should be restored. The question was always how to restore it responsibly,” he said. He described Sierratel as more than a commercial enterprise, calling it a strategic national asset that once served as the backbone of communication in Sierra Leone, linking government, enabling commerce and connecting families across the country. Its restoration, he furthered, is central to national development and to the government’s broader ambition to strengthen service delivery and expand participation in the digital economy.
President Bio also acknowledged the role of Sierratel staff, many of whom remained with the institution through years of decline and uncertainty. He praised their resilience and assured them that outstanding obligations would be addressed. “Your commitment, your resilience and your professionalism have not gone unnoticed,” he said. “The obligations owed to you have remained unresolved for far too long. But that ends today. Every verified obligation will be settled in a structured, transparent and accountable manner.”
He said the launch must ultimately be judged by performance, not ceremony, stressing that the success of the new partnership will depend on measurable improvements in service quality, reliability and access in the months ahead. “This partnership must be built on performance, not presence. We expect results,” the President said.
Calling the launch a new beginning rather than a conclusion, President Bio said Sierra Leone’s progress depends on its willingness to repair and modernize institutions rather than abandon them. “Today is not the finish line. It is the starting point,” he said, adding that Sierratel’s return reflects the government’s commitment to restoring public institutions with purpose and ensuring they deliver for the people.
