By Ibrahim S. Bangura
Freetown, Sierra Leone — February 6, 2026: Orange Sierra Leone convened its Annual Media Engagement on Friday at the Orange Digital Centre, Hill Station, bringing together more than 100 journalists and key stakeholders to review the company’s achievements, priorities, and impact in 2025.
The high-profile event featured participation from the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Honourable Chernoh Bah; Orange Sierra Leone CEO, Aïcha Touré; Executive Secretary of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), Khalil Kallon; President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Alhaji Manika Kamara; and representatives of Orange’s media partners nationwide.
Key Highlights from Orange Sierra Leone
Orange Sierra Leone showcased its continued investments in:
- Network expansion and reliability — strengthening coverage, quality, and infrastructure resilience.
- Digital inclusion — expanding fiber networks, data centers, international connectivity, and financial inclusion services.
- Corporate responsibility — advancing education, community development, and economic empowerment initiatives.
CEO Aïcha Touré emphasized the media’s role in national development and accountability, reaffirming Orange’s commitment to transparency and stakeholder engagement. She outlined three strategic priorities guiding the company’s operations:
- Improving network experience and reliability.
- Driving inclusion through digital infrastructure and services.
- Building trust through ethics, compliance, cybersecurity, and social impact programs.
Touré thanked media partners for their collaboration, stating: “Together, we connect Sierra Leone beyond telecoms.”
Minister’s Perspective
Minister Chernoh Bah praised Orange Sierra Leone’s partnership with government and citizens, noting that mobile connectivity now reaches even remote communities. He shared a personal experience of traveling to a distant island village and finding reliable coverage, underscoring the sector’s progress.
He highlighted that Sierra Leone now enjoys over 90 percent 4G coverage and has deployed a standalone network, positioning the country among early adopters globally. The Minister urged journalists to focus on productivity, progress, and opportunity in their reporting, cautioning against sensational headlines that distort reality and weaken public trust.
SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara described the engagement as deeply significant, commending Orange Sierra Leone for its consistent support to journalists. He noted the company’s contributions, including scholarships for advanced studies and educational support for journalists’ children.
The Minister also stressed the symbiotic relationship between media and institutions, reminding participants that credible journalism remains vital despite challenges in print circulation. He revealed that radio continues to be the most trusted source of news in Sierra Leone, with nearly half of respondents relying on it as their primary medium.
The engagement reaffirmed Orange Sierra Leone’s role as a trusted partner in the country’s digital transformation journey, with stakeholders calling for continued collaboration to strengthen connectivity, accountability, and responsible journalism.