By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
Chief Executive Officer of Africell Sierra Leone, Shadi Gerjawi, has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to digital transformation, connectivity expansion and national development during the NaTCA Consumer Parliament 2026, assuring consumers and Government of Africell’s readiness to continue investing in innovative telecommunications solutions across Sierra Leone.
Speaking at the high-profile event, which brought together the Minister of Communications, Technology and Innovation, Members of Parliament, the Director General of the National Communications Authority (NaTCA), the Mayor of Kenema City, traditional leaders, Government officials, sector stakeholders, Civil Society Organizations, media practitioners and consumers, Shadi Gerjawi emphasized Africell’s long-standing role in advancing the country’s telecommunications sector.
The Africell CEO noted that the company is commemorating 21 years of operations in Sierra Leone, describing the milestone as a reflection of its enduring dedication to connecting people, building resilient digital infrastructure and contributing to the nation’s socio-economic development.
“Twenty-one years of connecting people. Twenty-one years of building networks. Twenty-one years of investing in this country and its future,” Shadi Gerjawi stated, stressing that Africell came to Sierra Leone with a long-term vision and remains fully committed to the country’s progress.
Reflecting on the company’s recent achievements, Shadi Gerjawi disclosed that Africell had undertaken one of the most extensive network modernization projects in its history over the past year. He acknowledged that the process was both complex and demanding but necessary to improve the quality of service for customers nationwide.
According to him, despite the challenges associated with the modernization exercise, Africell worked diligently to ensure that customer experiences were minimally affected. He disclosed that the investment has already yielded tangible results, including faster internet speeds, increased network capacity and improved service quality.
“Our customers deserved better and we delivered better,” he remarked, while reaffirming the company’s determination to continue strengthening telecommunications services in Sierra Leone.
Highlighting Africell’s pioneering role within the country’s telecommunications landscape, Shadi Gerjawi recalled that the company introduced 3G services in 2011 before launching 4G technology in 2018. He further disclosed that Africell became the first telecommunications company to acquire 5G spectrum in Sierra Leone, reinforcing its ambition to remain at the forefront of technological advancement and innovation.
He stressed that Africell’s commitment goes beyond the capital city adding that the company remains focused on ensuring that all districts benefit from improved connectivity and digital opportunities.
“Sierra Leone is moving forward and Africell is proud to help lead that progress,” he said.
Beyond infrastructure expansion, the Africell CEO underscored the company’s commitment to human capital development through investments in education and digital literacy. He referenced Africell’s free Learning and Training Centre located along Wilkinson Road, explaining that the initiative was established to support students, job seekers and entrepreneurs with the digital skills required to thrive in an evolving workforce.
Shadi Gerjawi revealed that more than 500 schoolgirls in remote districts have already benefited from Africell’s digital training programmes, while approximately sixty women entrepreneurs have received training and support aimed at expanding their businesses.
“This is not charity. This is investment in our people and investment in our future,” he emphasized.
As part of efforts to make technology more inclusive and accessible, Shadi Gerjawi also highlighted the introduction of AI EVA, Africell’s voice-powered artificial intelligence service designed to assist customers using local languages. He explained that the innovation was introduced to bridge communication gaps, particularly for Sierra Leoneans without smartphones or advanced English literacy.
“With AI EVA, customers can ask questions in local languages. No smartphone required. No internet needed,” he said, emphasizing that technology should be accessible to everyone and not only a privileged few.
He further reaffirmed Africell’s readiness to support Government’s digital transformation agenda whenever called upon, noting that the company sees itself not merely as a telecommunications operator but as a strategic partner in national development and innovation.
Addressing consumers directly, the Africell CEO assured customers of the company’s commitment to listening to public feedback, improving service delivery and ensuring that investments translate into meaningful improvements in customer experience.
He emphasized that every telecommunications tower, service upgrade and product innovation undertaken by Africell is aimed at delivering greater value to consumers and improving overall service quality.
Concluding his statement, Shadi Gerjawi appealed for continued trust and honest feedback from consumers while pledging that Africell would continue working to maintain public confidence. He also expressed appreciation to participants and offered prayers for Sierra Leone’s continued peace, unity and development.
Meanwhile, Minister of Communications, Technology and Innovation, Salima Monorma Bah, commended mobile network operators for maintaining stable tariff rates despite the sharp increase in global fuel prices, which she disclosed had risen by more than 50 percent over the past three months.
She praised telecommunications companies for demonstrating resilience and commitment in sustaining essential communication services amid prevailing economic challenges.
Minister Salima Bah further disclosed that Government is actively exploring interventions to address the high operational costs confronting mobile network operators due to rising fuel prices. According to her, the measures are intended to guarantee the continued growth, sustainability and affordability of telecommunications services across Sierra Leone.
