Sierra Leone Hosts Landmark Regional Telecom Quality Workshop with ITU and NATCA
By Abdul Rahman Bah
On Friday 1 July 2025 The serene setting of Mamba Point Lagoonda in Aberdeen, Freetown, was transformed into a hub of innovation and global dialogue as the National Communications Authority (NATCA) of Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), hosted the Regional Workshop on Telecommunication Quality of Service (QoS) and the ITU-T Study Group 12 Regional Group Meeting for Africa.
On behalf of the Director General of NATCA, Amara Brewah, the Deputy Director General, Mrs. Maama Seawoh Koroma, delivered a heartfelt keynote address. She welcomed regional and international delegates with words of humility and optimism, emphasising Sierra Leone’s commitment to fostering partnerships, improving regulatory frameworks, and strengthening digital infrastructure in line with global best practices.
This high-level gathering brought together telecom experts, regulators, policymakers, private sector representatives, and civil society actors from across Africa and beyond. Countries such as Ghana, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and several others were represented, highlighting the workshop’s importance and scope. A symbolic and powerful opening statement was delivered by Mr. Samuel Ageykum of Ghana’s National Communications Authority, who chairs the ITU-T SG12 Regional Group for Africa. He lauded the transformation of what once seemed an uncertain dream into a present reality, commending Sierra Leone for its swift and generous decision to host the workshop.
Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau, Mr. Seizo Onoe, also addressed the participants, expressing appreciation for the African region’s commitment to advancing telecom standards. He stressed the critical importance of reliability in digital services and praised Study Group 12’s work in developing tools that enable quality and efficiency, especially for underserved regions.
Madam Salima Monorma Bah, Minister of Communication, Technology, and Innovation of Sierra Leone, delivered a passionate and forward looking speech on behalf of the Government. Representing His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, Minister Bah emphasised that digital connectivity is no longer a luxury but a basic human right. She spoke of the urgent need for meaningful, fast, and reliable connectivity that empowers every citizen from a content creator in Freetown to a health worker in a rural clinic or a young entrepreneur in Kailahun.
Minister Bah proudly outlined Sierra Leone’s digital strides, including its leadership in launching an open-access 5G network and expanding fibre backbone coverage. She urged regulators to set ambitious standards while calling on the private sector not to treat compliance as a checkbox but rather as a responsibility to deliver quality service that meets human needs. She also emphasised the role of civil society in ensuring accountability across all actors in the telecommunications value chain.
Throughout the day, speakers echoed a shared vision an Africa where digital inclusion drives development, bridges inequality, and enables innovation. The workshop provided a platform not only for technical exchange but for strengthening a regional network committed to transforming telecom standards across the continent.
As deliberations continue, the warmth of Sierra Leone’s hospitality, the strength of its digital ambition, and the global cooperation it has welcomed are sure to leave a lasting impression on all participants. The event is a remarkable milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey and a testament to Africa’s growing role in shaping the global telecom future
