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Sierra Leone Telecommunications Landscape in the Spotlight

By Theresa Kef Sesay

The Sierra Leone Telecommunications Market report – 8th series provides a complete view of the Sierra Leone telecom ecosystem along with trends and growth factors shaping the future of the market.

The future value proposition for telecommunications market in Sierra Leone to 2025 is detailed in the report. It also provides imperatives for gaining market share in highly competitive telecom industry. It provides unmatched depth and breadth into drivers, challenges, tariffs, competition, subscriber behaviour, infrastructure, regulatory support and others.

The report presents detailed insights into Sierra Leone mobile communication, fixed telephone and fixed broadband markets. Subscriber count and penetration rates are forecast for each of the sub-sectors including cellular, fixed landline and broadband segments from 2005 to 2018 and 2019 to 2025.

With Long Term Evolution (LTE) rapid expansion and slowdown in 2G and 3G services, the Sierra Leone telecom market is evolving rapidly. Embracing mobile connectivity, IoT, cloud services and smartphones has become vital for telecom companies. Operators across the value chain are forced to adapt to these emerging market changes to sustain revenue and profit.

Sierra Leone telecommunication market size, revenues, investment and infrastructure data is also included in the research work. In addition, business environment in the country is compared with five peer markets in the region to analyse Sierra Leone market prominence on regional front.

Telecom operators in Sierra Leone are witnessing wide range of challenges including rapidly changing customer patterns, financial and technological challenges. Identifying the emerging trends and converting them into actionable strategies is vital for sustaining profitability. This report analyses leading telecom companies in Sierra Leone across the value chain, SWOT analysis, tariffs and financial profile.

In addition, the report offers detailed forecasts into the country’s demographic factors such as population by age group, gender and region. Macroeconomic factors that form the base drivers for telecom growth and branding & pricing strategies including GDP and disposable income are included.

The research work also includes detailed SWOT analysis of Sierra Leone telecommunications market to enable users to identify key trends and hidden opportunities. It identifies emerging and new market trends across segments in the industry.
The study also includes recent telecommunication market developments, mergers, acquisitions and new launches, spectrum availability, tenders and other developments.

Scope
– Key Findings of Sierra Leone Telecommunications market and introduction – 2018
– Prominent Sierra Leone market trends on sales, tariffs, packages, infrastructure, technologies, regulations and companies
– Benchmarking with peer markets in the region
– SWOT analysis of Sierra Leone Telecommunications market presenting key drivers and hidden opportunities
– Annual Subscriber count outlook from 2005 to 2025 for-
. – Mobile services
. – Fixed landline services
. – Fixed broadband services
– GDP, Population, Inflation, Disposable Income forecasts
– Business, SWOT and Financial Profiles of Leading Companies
– Recent Industry Developments, 2018

The report enables clients to
– Boost revenues from new and existing customer base
– Identify key trends and hidden opportunities
– Gain clear understanding of the country telecommunications value chain
– Design sustainable and competitive strategies in times of rapid development
– Understand paradigm shift in consumer preferences
– Compare growth in Sierra Leone telecommunications business with its peer markets
– Gain insights into the role of legal and regulatory bodies in Sierra Leone

 

To Fight Coronavirus Pandemic… ECOWAS Pledges Support to Member States

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has pledged its support to its member states in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). In a statement released by the Commission and signed by its President, Dr. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, ECOWAS says it continues to closely monitor the evolution of the pandemic in the world and particularly in West Africa.

The Commission noted that as of 5 April 2020, the 15 Member States are affected by the pandemic with 1 739 confirmed cases of contamination, 55 deaths and 328 persons who have fully recovered. It said that approximately 95% of deaths are patients with comorbid conditions.

While reaffirming its solidarity with Member States, the ECOWAS Commission said it welcomes all the measures already taken to contain the spread of the pandemic and care for the sick. It further reiterated its commitment to supporting Member States in the fight against the pandemic, noting that the West African Health Organization (WAHO), its specialized health institution responsible for coordinating the response at the regional level, has drawn up a Regional Strategic Plan with all Member States.

“To address the emergency at hand, ECOWAS has immediately made available financial support from its own resources, in addition to assistance from international partners, for the purchase of medical supplies and equipment essential for the fight against the pandemic,” the Commission noted.

WAHO has already purchased and dispatched to the 15 Member States:

  • 30 500 diagnostic test kits;
  • 10 000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Coveralls, Aprons, gowns, gloves, goggles, boots);
  • 740 000 prescription tablets (Chloroquine and Azithromycin);

Orders have been also been placed to acquire for Member States, the following items:

  • 240,000 diagnostic kits;
  • 240,000 extraction kits;
  • 250,000 viral sample transport equipment;
  • 285,100 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
  • 268,1000 masks for medical personnel (face masks, surgical masks, full face masks);
  • 120 ventilators;
  • Several thousand litres of alcohol gel and disinfectants.

Furthermore, WAHO is also working, in close collaboration with the specialised services in Member States, to deploy personnel and epidemiological surveillance and data collection tools, strengthen the capacity of reference laboratories and train technical personnel.

ECOWAS further noted that it is working in conjunction with the apex regional health governing body, WAHO, to continue both internal and external resource mobilization, with a view to increasing the availability of medical materials and equipment necessary to prevent, monitor and combat this pandemic. This is expected to expand its scope of support to supplement Member States’ own efforts.

The release further noted that ECOWAS is working to complement its intervention as part of a Short and Medium Term State Assistance Plan (humanitarian assistance and support for economic recovery).

It further thanked all its partners for their financial and technical support to the Community in these difficult times while it urged people to continue to implement the measures recommended by the Health Authorities, and to comply with the prescribed hygiene guidelines.

Sierra Leone Benefits from IMF Debt Relief

Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

By Amin Kef Sesay

Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued the following statement: “ I am pleased to say that our Executive Board approved immediate debt service relief to 25 of the IMF’s member countries under the IMF’s revamped Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust (CCRT) as part of the Fund’s response to help address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This provides grants to our poorest and most vulnerable members to cover their IMF debt obligations for an initial phase over the next six months and will help them channel more of their scarce financial resources towards vital emergency medical and other relief efforts.

“The CCRT can currently provide about US$500 million in grant-based debt service relief, including the recent US$185 million pledge by the U.K. and US$100 million provided by Japan as immediately available resources. Others, including China and the Netherlands, are also stepping forward with important contributions. I urge other donors to help us replenish the Trust’s resources and boost further our ability to provide additional debt service relief for a full two years to our poorest member countries.”

The countries that will receive debt service relief today are: Afghanistan, Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, D.R., The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tajikistan, Togo, and Yemen.

IGP & CDS Caution Police, Military Personnel at Mile 38 Checkpoint

Inspector General of Police , Ambrose Sovula

By Fatmata Jengbe

The Inspector General of Police , Ambrose Sovula, addressing Military and Police personnel at Mile 38 check point recently admonished them to work in synergy as sister forces and be professional in the discharge of their functions to contain the COVID 19 virus and also provide the much needed security of the country as Mile 38 is a major gateway to Freetown by road. He cautioned the personnel present to be very careful especially in the enforcement of the inter-district two weeks partial lockdown.

He continued that every personnel must be committed to his duty and work in unity to ensure that the image of the SLP and RSLAF is not smeared.

The IGP used the occasion to talk to personnel across the Region and the country at large to be courageous in the fight to contain COVID 19.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS),Lieutenant General Brima Sesay, on the other hand warned officers present to be careful not to be found wanting for lack of professionalism as this could lead to stringent disciplinary action or dismissal.

The Regional Commander North West Mr TM Lahai stated that he was elated seeing such cooperation between both leaders and this would continue for the healthy relationship of both forces and for improved safety and security of Government and its people.

Both leaders inspected the structures started by RSLAF and SLP and promised to standardize it to international level.

To Stop The Spread Of Covid19…. Alphajor Barrie and Tarlabasi Solidarity Association Donate To Africans

Mr. Dauda Kargbo, Mr Mohamed Mr. Alphajor Barrie, Mr. Yasid and Mr. Abdul Kargbo

By ALusine Samuel Kargbo (ASK) Istanbul

Turkey announced its first case of the novel coronavirus on Wednesday 11th of March 2020, while stressing that all precautionary measures should be taken. The pandemic which has caused major dislocations all over the world is affecting every aspect of life.

Since this pandemic started in Turkey, communities especially the African communities have been affected as some Africans have been forced to stay home for three to four weeks now without jobs not to talk of even accessing food, pay bills.

Mr. Alphajor Barrie is a Sierra Leonean, based in Turkey. He is a business man and a philanthropist that owns a cargo and a restaurant in Istanbul. He is always there to see that Africans are given the treatment they deserve in terms of shelter and medical facilities.

Mr. Alphajor Barrie was contacted by some Africans who for three weeks now have no job, food .Mr. Barrie in return has engaged some NGOs to come to the aid of Africans. The Tarlabasi Solidarity Association (TSA) responded to the call of Mr. Alphajor Barrie.

On Thursday 9th of April 2020, Mr. Barrie and the Tarlabasi Solidarity Association (TSA) started supplying masks, shopping cards, gloves and hand sanitizers to Africans resident in Turkey. Before one receives  a donation his/her temperature must be checked in order to ascertain whether the individual is positive or negative..

In another development, Alie Yayah, another Sierra Leonean based in Turkey who is a University students in Istanbul, also engaged some NGOs for support. They also responded by giving a donation to all Sierra Leoneans.

 

 

The Importance of National Unity in a Crisis Time Like This

By Amin Kef Sesay

Let us start this commentary with a big “thank you” to all the opposition members of Parliament and their political parties for rallying strongly behind the Government of President Bio in the fight against the corona virus disease in what is clearly a clear demonstration of the true spirit of nationhood.

In times of national crisis, such as the eleven years war that we experienced or the Ebola disease five years ago, the notion of unity is no stranger to States far and wide, let alone Sierra Leone.

Ethnic, cultural and economic strains that compromise national unity have long been engrained into our country’s post-colonial history. In light of that, efforts to bridge this ethnic divide since independence reflects the wide-spread recognition of the need for national unity in the fight against the corona virus disease.

That “we can be heroes” spirit has been ignited in the country again, only this time in earnest. As the coronavirus crisis unfolds, it’s crucial to remember we are stronger together.

The past weeks show that there remain things about which we can nearly all agree: among them the selflessness of the medical staff on whom we all depend, and the capacity for decency and kindness in communities up and down the land.

Since the emergency was declared, we have proved as a nation that we still at heart have more in common than that which divides us. There is justified fear of what may come. We can feel the anxiety in the voices of our isolated parents and grandparents; we might sense it in ourselves. Even so, much has already been taken on board.

Parents have taken up the challenges of home-schooling, teenagers have forgone social lives and weddings have been shelved, house moves postponed. The monumental shift in national behaviour has so far been brought about not by sanctions and fines but by common sense and fellow feeling.

As this crisis unfolds, we don’t need to unplug our memory of the short-sighted negligence of provision made in the past in the name of austerity. Now, more than ever, a Government that was elected playing fast and loose with figures must be held to its promises.

The weeks and months ahead will be less a political drama than a struggle waged in millions of individual lives up and down the land. It will be more quickly over if we hold in mind that, at our best, we remain all in it together.

National unity is the strength that binds and inspires the people of our country. Thus in reality, its protection, peace, independence and sovereignty are directly dependant on and relative to a nation’s pride, patriotism, and social cohesion also known as unity.

Integrity in the fight against corona is not dependent on social cohesion, but a nation’s cultural morals and Government ethics, which ultimately adds to or subtracts from the nation’s social unity/cohesion.

Thus, national unity defined as solidarity within citizens of a nation, with minimum sectorial practices and close adherence to law and order is very central and critical to a successful fight against corona, as happened with ending the RUF; as happened with ending the Ebola outbreak.

National unity in this sense does not imply homogeneity. It advocates rather, a “community of communities” which respects diversity and shared values, experiences and geographical relativity. To reiterate, national unity is essential in maintaining a harmonious and functional society at a crisis time like this.

Consequently, national unity now and subsequently societal stability is what will contribute to nation-building which principally revolves around economic developments which leads to elevated standards of living; and if channeled efficiently – decreased poverty rate and income disparity, benefiting the populace as a whole.

To conclude, beyond the current health emergency that we face, national unity is crucial for the growth of Sierra Leone in terms of guaranteeing societal stability and spurring economic growth for the betterment of the people.

Good governance, correct information and mass sensitization at all levels of society play an integral role in fostering this unity by equipping individuals with an educated and objective perspective on intercultural interaction, helping the nation to effectively and effortlessly navigate through the waters of diversity.

 

 

Hon. Sidi Tunis Appeals for all Hands on Deck to Fight COVID-19

Honourable Sidi Mohamed Tunis

By Abdul Malik Bangura

In his Easter message of solidarity from the Office of Leader of Government Business in Parliament Honourable Sidie Mohamed Tunis, called on all MPs to work collectively to save lives amidst the current Coronavirus Outbreak in the Sierra Leone.

Honourable Sidie Mohamed Tunis is the Speaker of the Regional Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Leader of Government Business representing the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) in the Sierra Leone House of Parliament and MP for Constituency 101 in the Southern Provincial district of Pujehun.

Honourable Tunis, in his message dated and signed on Sunday 12th April 2020, said that he was overwhelmed with joy that majority of the MPs in Sierra Leone have taken the lead “under very difficult circumstances, to ensure that the pandemic comes to a speedy end.” He added: “I feel personally honoured that this is happening under my leadership. I feel deeply gratified by the actions you have taken in your constituencies that translate the emergency into action and to sensitize your constituents about the grave importance of adhering and respecting the dictates of the emergency, more particularly in ensuring that COVID-19 does not devastate the country.”

Meanwhile, Honourable Tunis, further commented on the letter from the Chairman and Leader of his SLPP alleging that Honourable Tunis has been removed as Leader of Government Business in Parliament. He said, “I have always been a great respecter of the decisions of the Party hierarchy, especially when done in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Party Constitution.” Hence he said:  “I will in this regard implore all SLPP MPs that while we await the final formal announcement of any decision concerning our Leadership in Parliament, to remain completely calm and focus on the overriding objectives of eliminating COVID-19 from the shores of Sierra Leone.”

In addition, to his colleagues leaders of various political parties in the House of Parliament, Honourable Tunis encouraged them to continue talking to their members as always “to put the nation first and to kick Coronavirus out of our beloved country,” adding that as leaders they are aware that “this is not the time to score political points but a time to unite behind His Excellency the President for the wellbeing of the People of the nation.”

COVID-19 Fund Gets another Le1 Billion Boost from Seawright Mining Company

Seawright Mining Company Human Resource Manager Josephine Sia Konomanyi presenting the one billion Leones Cheque to the interim Chairman, Retired Brigadier Hassan Kellie Conteh

By Joenal Sesay

As a way of contributing towards the fight against the deadly coronavirus, Seawright Mining Company on the 9th April 2020 presented a cheque of One Billion Leones to the Interim National Coordinator for COVID-19 Response..

The One Billion Leones cheque was presented to Retired Brigadier Kelli Conteh at the Forecourt of the Emergency Operation Centre at Cockerill in Freetown.

Presenting the donation on behalf of Seawright Mining Company, the Chief Operations Officer, Chaurura Tichaona Saul ,said even though the company is still on its exploration stage they thought it fit to support the Government at this time due to the impact and danger caused by COVID-19.

He revealed that as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility they saw it fit that they chip in to help in the fight against the virus in the country. Saul said they were extremely humbled to donate the said amount to the Government and people of Sierra Leone to support the strides the Government has made in putting in place preventive measures in curtailing the spread of the Coronavirus.

He disclosed that the donation would provide significant and much needed support to Sierra Leone by supplying relief materials, critical health care items and financial support to the Government through the COVID-19 Emergency Response Committee set up by President Bio to contain the virus.

Seawright Mining Company Human Resource Manager Josephine Sia Konomanyi, expressed delight that their Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Alfred Seawright, thought it fit to contribute towards the fight against COVID-19 as the country does not have proper medical facilities in saving lives.

She called on other mining companies, NGO’s and other well-meaning organizations to come on board to help in the fight because they could only win if they do it together.

She said that what they expected at the end of the day is for the Government to utilize the money for its intended purpose which can help save lives and for the virus not to spread in the country.

Receiving the cheque of one billion Leones from Seawright Mining Company Human Resource Manager, Josephine Sia Konomanyi, the Interim Chairman, Retired Brigadier Hassan Kellie Conteh on behalf of the EOC expressed appreciation to Seawright Mining Company for such a gesture. He said the donation came at the right time as the center is currently working on other strategies to expand on their response.

He therefore assured them that the donated amount will be used for the intended purpose to impact their response.

This is not the first national intervention of Seawright Mining Company. The company donated over $20,000,000 (Twenty Thousand Dollars) KVA Generators, $15,000,000 Tents, assorted soap and bags of rice during the Mudslide and Flooding in Freetown in 2014 to the Office of National Security (ONS) among other goodwill gestures in their operational areas and beyond.

 

“Sierra Leone Must Implement a Smart Lockdown…”   – Prince Jacob Macauley Asserts

Economist Prince Jacob Macauley

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As Sierra Leone enters Day 4 of a national inter-district lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and with the economy taking a slight beating amid the lockdown, Economist Prince Jacob Macauley said that he has come up with a smart lockdown plan – that would work similar to economic stability plans – that save lives and livelihoods.

Economist Prince Jacob Macauley said the Government Policy Unit has been working tirelessly with healthcare and financial experts, policy specialists, and its shadow cabinet to devise a sustainable and flexible Smart Lockdown to supplement Government’s coronavirus response effort.

They planned to submit the Smart Lockdown working paper which can be updated and amended by President Bio.

“Managing Covid-19 will require a marathon, not a sprint.  Realistically, Sierra Leone may have to contain the coronavirus right up until a vaccine is widely available in 18-24 months’ time.  We must hope for a shorter period but plan pragmatically for a long one. In addition to this, Sierra Leone was already in rebuilding its economy before the coronavirus hit.  Under a hard lockdown we are heading towards an economic depression,” Macauley said.

He said it was going to be very hard to fund an adequate health response over that time period, while also bridging poor households and small businesses to the other side.

“Therefore, we need to contain this virus over the coming months and beyond in such a way that as many of us as possible can get back to work…We believe that it is a false choice to distinguish between a loss of lives and a loss of livelihoods.  Given that economically active citizens pay for our food, hospitals, and doctors, an economic collapse as the result of a continued hard lockdown will also equate to a loss of life. Sierra Leone needs a strategy to balance the containment of Covid-19 and the containment of the economic fallout as a result of the lockdown, addressing the twin threat to Sierra Leone lives: the spread of infection and grinding economic recession,” the renowned Economist maintained.

He said Sierra Leone need a phased and flexible approach to ease the lockdown while ensuring that the country contains the spread of the coronavirus as Covid-19 will not simply disappear once the lockdown is lifted.

“Sierra Leone cannot afford a hard lockdown. The economic repercussions of a hard and extended lockdown will be disastrous for the Sierra Leone economy, and thousands of taxpaying citizens will emerge from it unemployed as a result. Furthermore, Sierra Leone  does not have the fiscal space necessary to accommodate the severe assault a hard lockdown will unleash on our economy,” Macauley said.

 How will the Smart Lockdown work?

The Economist’s Smart Lockdown functions similarly to an energy supply or the different stages of water restrictions previously seen during the Freetown drought.

In addition to the introduction of the Smart Lockdown, Economist Macauley’s Covid-19 strategy for managing lives and livelihoods includes:

* Moving between lockdown stages (different specified stages of economic and social activity) in response to what the data is telling us e.g. about new daily infections and hospital capacity.

* Massive rollout of testing, tracking, tracing, and treatment coupled with transparent reporting of data.

* Massive build of healthcare capacity coupled with transparent reporting of progress data.

* Enabling and strict enforcement of the wearing of protective face masks in all public areas.

* The roll out of a comprehensive public education campaign: hygiene, diagnosis, handling. This includes health protocols for public spaces and workplaces;

* Assistance to the high-risk group to continue isolating where possible.

* Strict border control.

* Bold economic stimulus/relief package

* Sweeping reforms in Government and to our economy.

Indeed, it is very rational to have a Smart Lock Down in place than a Hard Lock Down as espoused by the Economist taking into consideration the fragility of the country’s economy.

 

Advance Plan of Lands Minister Makes Social Distancing Natural

Minister of Lands, Dr. Dennis Sandy

By Edward Vanboi

If anything, the Minister of Lands Dr. Dennis Sandy could best be described as either a prophet or a seer and more so a man with foresight and vision required of any good leader.

This vision of the Lands Minister has sprouted to something that could save many lives especially under the strain of the current COVID-19 pandemic which is plaguing the whole world at this moment causing great loss of lives in every continent of the globe.

One of the precautions that Government has been stressing on to deter the spread of the Virus is social distancing which means working with others while at the same time maintaining certain amount of distance between each other.

The Ministry of Lands’ mandate involves much surveying of Government and private property in cases where there are disputes between land owners. Surveys involve many hands who work closely but that was before Dr. Sandy came to that Ministerial position at the Ministry of Lands.

Dr. Sandy’s innovation of introducing aerial drone system of surveys has made social distancing child’s play for the Ministry of Lands. The Prophet has made it simple and hands free with just a few hands to survey large portions of land without any interaction among peoples.

The Ministry of Lands is the only Ministry in the country that could boast of completing a very tasking assignment while at the same time observing perfect social distancing.

Dr. Sandy who is rated among the top 6 Cabinet Ministers in the President Bio Government by the Integrity Score Card has always displayed discipline in everything he does and this innovation with the use of drones, is just one of those and his boss, HE President Bio will be highly pleased with him.

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