Digital Collaboration Sierra Leone and Guinea Sign Telecom Partnership Agreement
Sierra Leone and Guinea have taken a significant step towards deepening regional collaboration by signing a framework agreement focused on advancing the sectors of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy. The agreement, signed by Madam Salima Bah, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communication, Technology, and Innovation, and Rose Pola Pricemou, Guinea’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy, was formalized in a ceremony at the Atlantic Hotel in Freetown, Sierra Leone, with key stakeholders from both countries in attendance.
The signing of the agreement, which was led by Ibrahim Sannoh, the Deputy Minister of Communication, Technology, and Innovation, emphasizes the shared commitment to fostering digital transformation and improving connectivity across the two nations. The event was a platform for discussions on several crucial areas, including the creation of legal frameworks to address cybercrime, facilitating regional roaming, and optimizing the use of resources between the two countries. Both sides also highlighted the importance of information exchange and shared infrastructure development between telecom operators in Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Minister Bah expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership, noting that the framework agreement aligns with President Julius Maada Bio’s vision of ensuring internet and mobile connectivity as basic rights for all citizens. She stressed the importance of providing affordable and reliable connectivity to every Sierra Leonean and highlighted how the agreement will contribute to the nation’s broader goals of economic development and digital inclusion.
In his address, Chief Minister Dr. Moinina David Sengeh emphasized the transformative impact of improved connectivity, especially in rural areas. He explained that the agreement would not only connect fiber networks between the two countries but would also enhance service delivery and open up new opportunities for digital innovation, thereby contributing to the development of a more inclusive digital economy.
Regulatory bodies from both countries, including Sierra Leone’s NaTCA (National Telecommunications Commission) and Guinea’s ARPT (Regulatory Authority for Posts and Telecommunications), will oversee the execution of the agreement. A joint commission has also been established to monitor progress, ensuring that the collaboration between Sierra Leone and Guinea is sustainable and mutually beneficial.
This historic agreement marks the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between Sierra Leone and Guinea, with both countries working together to harness the power of technology and innovation for the advancement of their digital economies. The partnership is expected to foster economic growth, improve service delivery, and enhance regional connectivity, positioning both nations as leaders in the digital space in West Africa.
