Orange SL Expands Rural Connectivity with New Network Site in Mathonkra, Tonkolili District

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bold move to bridge Sierra Leone’s digital divide, Orange Sierra Leone on Friday, 31st October 2025, commissioned a new network site in Mathonkra, Tene Chiefdom, Tonkolili District—a community that had long struggled with poor communication access. The launch stands as a powerful testament to the company’s continued commitment to digital inclusion, rural connectivity, and national development.

Despite the difficult terrain and poor road infrastructure, Orange Sierra Leone’s Chief Executive Officer, Sekou Amadou Bah, led his team through the challenging route to personally oversee the commissioning. His presence in Mathonkra underscored the company’s resolve to connect even the most remote communities to reliable, high-speed mobile services.

Welcoming guests, Paramount Chief P.C. Bai Kafari II of Tene Chiefdom praised Orange Sierra Leone for being the first telecommunications company to bring reliable connectivity to the area. He recalled the hardship residents once faced, often walking miles or climbing hills just to make a phone call.

“This is a day of joy for the people of Mathonkra and the entire Tene Chiefdom,” he declared. “For too long, we lived in silence—unable to communicate with our loved ones or conduct business. Today, Orange has brought us closer to the rest of the country.”

The Chief described the new site as a transformative development that would enhance access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. He also urged residents to protect the site from vandalism, ensuring it remains a community asset for generations to come.

Also addressing the gathering, Hon. Daniel Fornah, Member of Parliament for Tonkolili District, commended Orange Sierra Leone for prioritizing inclusivity in its service delivery. Drawing on his 18 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, he described the project as “a remarkable step in breaking the long-standing digital isolation of Tonkolili.”

“For many years, companies viewed Tonkolili as unviable for telecommunications investment,” he said. “Today, Orange has proven that narrative wrong.”

Hon. Fornah emphasized that the new site would serve as a catalyst for economic growth, education, and job creation, noting that connectivity expands opportunities and strengthens communities. He further commended Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Madam Salima Bah, for her visionary leadership in driving national ICT expansion and pledged continued support for digital inclusion initiatives across Tonkolili and beyond.

In his remarks, CEO Sekou Amadou Bah described the launch as “a major milestone in Orange’s journey to connect and empower every community across Sierra Leone.”

“This launch is more than an expansion of our mobile network—it is about creating access: access to education, business opportunities, and a better quality of life for all,” he said.

He thanked the Government of Sierra Leone, the National Telecommunications Authority (NaTCA), and the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation for their steadfast support in implementing the company’s deep-rural network expansion strategy.

According to Bah, the new site will deliver faster internet speeds and stronger connectivity to thousands of users across Tonkolili, including areas such as Magburaka, Bumbuna, Mile 91, and Yele. He emphasized that digital connectivity empowers youth, facilitates financial inclusion, and fuels innovation and entrepreneurship.

Highlighting Orange’s progress, Bah revealed that the company operates over 616 sites nationwide, with 70% powered by green energy solutions, aligning with Orange Group’s global net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2040.

“In 2025 alone, we have built 40 new sites,” he disclosed. “We’ve invested over US$50 million to modernize our network, ensuring all sites are 4G-enabled and 5G-ready. This demonstrates our confidence in Sierra Leone’s digital future.”

He reaffirmed Orange’s role as a development partner, committed to supporting government efforts to build a connected, inclusive, and sustainable economy.

“Together, we are building more than a network; we are building bridges of opportunity that connect people and communities,” Bah maintained.

In his closing remarks, the CEO expressed appreciation to the people of Tonkolili for their warm hospitality and partnership.

“Long live the people of Tonkolili District, and long live our beloved Sierra Leone. Una tenki!” he declared, drawing loud applause from the crowd.

Delivering the keynote address, Madam Salima Bah, Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to expanding digital access nationwide. She emphasized that communication is no longer a privilege, but a basic human right—essential to education, innovation, and development.

“Connectivity should not be for a few privileged people in urban areas,” Minister Bah stated. “Every Sierra Leonean, regardless of location or income, deserves the right to communicate and access information.”

She applauded the local leadership of Mathonkra for supporting the project and urged communities to take ownership of the new infrastructure.

“This site is a major investment worth thousands of dollars,” she said. “If you protect it, the company will reinvest and expand more. When they profit, they pay taxes and create jobs—that’s how national growth happens.”

Minister Bah linked the initiative to President Julius Maada Bio’s digital inclusion agenda, launched in 2018, which aims to ensure that every chiefdom in Sierra Leone has reliable mobile and internet access.

“This Government believes that communication drives education, business, and development,” she noted. “When our people are connected, our nation moves forward.”

She further highlighted that the launch represents a long-term investment in human capital, improving access to online education, e-health services, and digital finance. The Minister also announced plans to expand such projects through ICT training, digital literacy programs, and technology-equipped schools and health centers in underserved areas.

“Mathonkra is just the beginning,” she added. “We will continue to partner with the private sector to ensure no community is left behind in the digital revolution.”

The event drew a large turnout of community elders, youth groups, local leaders, and company officials, all united in celebration and hope. Residents expressed profound gratitude for what they described as a life-changing project—a step toward inclusion, modernization, and opportunity.

The ceremony concluded with the official activation of the new network site, symbolizing the start of a new era of connectivity for Mathonkra and the surrounding communities.