Sierra Leone targets satellite integration to bridge connectivity gap

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

Sierra Leone is intensifying efforts to strengthen its digital infrastructure through satellite-enabled solutions as part of a broader strategy to close connectivity gaps and expand nationwide access to communication services.

The focus emerged during the Parliamentary Committee on Information and Communications’ annual stakeholder engagement held in Freetown, where government officials, regulators, and industry leaders convened to assess progress and outline priorities for the sector.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Salima Monorma Bah, highlighted that despite significant investments of about $400 million and the expansion of the national backbone network to 14 out of 16 districts, a 60 percent usage gap persists across the country.

The Minister underscored the role of complementary technologies, including satellite systems, in extending connectivity to underserved and remote communities where terrestrial infrastructure remains limited. She noted that integrating satellite capabilities with existing broadband networks would be critical to achieving universal access and improving service reliability.

Bah also called for stronger industry accountability and infrastructure sharing among operators to reduce operational costs and make digital services more affordable. She identified cost efficiencies and coordinated deployment strategies as essential to accelerating connectivity.

In addition, the government is advancing plans for the landing of a second subsea cable, supported by a $15 million investment, to further enhance international bandwidth capacity. Combined with satellite-enabled coverage, the initiative is expected to improve redundancy and strengthen the resilience of Sierra Leone’s communications network.

Stakeholders at the meeting, including the National Communications Authority, mobile network operators, and civil society organisations, emphasized the importance of a multi-layered infrastructure approach that leverages fibre, subsea, and satellite technologies to support the country’s digital transformation agenda.

The government said the integrated strategy will position Sierra Leone to expand access to digital services across key sectors such as education, healthcare, and commerce, while driving inclusive economic growth.