By Foday Moriba Conteh
Orange Sierra Leone has officially bid farewell to its outgoing Chief Executive Officer, Sekou Amadou Bah, marking the end of his nearly four-year tenure on 31 December 2025. His departure was formally celebrated during a well-attended farewell ceremony held on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, at the company’s headquarters on Hill Station in Freetown. The event brought together staff, senior Management and key stakeholders to reflect on his leadership and acknowledge his contributions to the company’s growth, transformation and people-centred culture.
Speakers at the ceremony described Sekou Amadou Bah’s tenure as steady, inclusive and impactful, noting that he assumed leadership during a challenging period, characterized by economic pressures, complex regulatory demands and critical network challenges. Despite those difficulties, speakers said he consistently demonstrated calmness, clarity and composure, inspiring confidence across the organisation.
Elizabeth Clarissa A. Walker, Head of OSL Connect and Head of the Welfare Team, speaking on behalf of all employees, said Sekou Amadou Bah’s leadership strengthened Orange Sierra Leone’s operational foundation through substantial investments that positioned the company for long-term growth. She highlighted his integrity, accessibility and trust-based leadership, describing his open-door policy and daily interactions with staff as key factors that fostered a sense of belonging and motivation among employees.
Elizabeth Clarissa A. Walker also praised Sekou Amadou Bah’s commitment to staff welfare, citing initiatives such as Ramadan vouchers and support for field staff during difficult economic times. She further commended his decision to appoint two Directors from within the existing workforce, including a Marketing Director in a role historically occupied by expatriates, saying that affirmed the value of local talent and institutional knowledge.
Representing the OSL Men’s Association, Vice President, Joseph Saffa Tengbeh, described Sekou Amadou Bah as a principled and courageous leader who embodied the true essence of leadership. He said Sekou Amadou Bah strengthened systems, deliberately built capacity, nurtured talent and promoted a culture of accountability and opportunity. According to Joseph Saffa Tengbeh, Sekou Amadou Bah’s legacy will endure through the standards he raised, the people he inspired and the stronger organisation he leaves behind.
Joseph Saffa Tengbeh also welcomed the newly appointed CEO, Madam Aïcha Touré, expressing confidence in her leadership and assuring her of the Men’s Association’s full support as Orange Sierra Leone enters a new phase.
Similarly, Priscilla Okechukwu, President of Orange Sierra Leone Women, highlighted Sekou Amadou Bah’s commitment to inclusivity and women’s empowerment. She said his leadership went beyond corporate performance, ensuring women were actively included in decision-making processes and supported in their career growth. Under his tenure, she noted, many women advanced into leadership roles, reflecting a culture where empowerment was practiced rather than merely promoted.
Priscilla Okechukwu also commended Sekou Amadou Bah’s role in driving digital transformation and infrastructure development, positioning Orange Sierra Leone as an industry leader. She described him as an accessible leader who valued people as the company’s greatest asset and treated the Orange Women’s Programme as a core pillar of corporate strategy. She concluded by describing him as an outstanding “He-for-She” whose legacy would endure within the company.
The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Aïcha Touré, praised the leadership and achievements of her predecessor, Sekou Amadu Bah, describing his nearly four-year tenure as transformative, resilient and impactful.
Aïcha Touré said Sekou Amadu Bah led the company with vision, resilience and a strong commitment to Orange Sierra Leone’s mission, guiding the organisation through challenges while unlocking new opportunities. Under his leadership, she noted, Orange Sierra Leone recorded significant progress, including the setting of new customer experience standards across the Orange Group, strengthening of IT systems and expansion of data network coverage to more than 90 percent of the population.
She further highlighted that Sekou Amadu Bah accelerated business growth and profitability, strengthened compliance systems and promoted social cohesion and the development of diverse talent within the organisation. Thanking him for his service, Aïcha Touré said he leaves behind a legacy of excellence and a solid foundation for future growth.
Speaking on her assumption of office, Aïcha Touré said she is taking on the role with humility and would be guided by three core values: empathy, integrity and excellence. She explained that empathy would help her connect with employees, customers and communities; integrity would guide trust-based leadership and excellence would ensure Orange Sierra Leone continues to deliver the best network, customer experience and sector impact.
She outlined four strategic priorities for her tenure: putting people first, driving sustainable business growth, strengthening network excellence and accelerating innovation and digital transformation. Aïcha Touré reaffirmed the company’s commitment to continued investment in mobile, fibre, voice and Orange Money services, as well as improving network quality, reliability and nationwide coverage. She also emphasized Orange Sierra Leone’s role in advancing digital and financial inclusion to ensure no one is left behind.
Aïcha Touré expressed gratitude to colleagues across the Orange Group, her former teams in Mali, her mentors and her family for their support. She also thanked the leadership of Sonatel, Orange Middle East and Africa and the Board of Orange Sierra Leone for the confidence placed in her. Describing Sierra Leone as warm and hospitable, she said she already felt at home and looked forward to working closely with staff and stakeholders to write the company’s next growth chapter.
In his farewell remarks, outgoing CEO Sekou Amadu Bah described the occasion as one of mixed emotions, reflecting gratitude, pride and humility. He thanked the more than 432 employees nationwide, crediting them for the achievements recorded during his tenure. Sekou Amadu Bah highlighted progress in strengthening telecommunications infrastructure, expanding connectivity and improving reliable communication services across the country.
He acknowledged that the company faced significant challenges during the period but said those were overcome through courage, creativity and collaboration. Beyond corporate success, Sekou Amadu Bah emphasized the importance of relationships, describing Orange Sierra Leone as a family built on trust, solidarity and teamwork.
As he handed over leadership, Sekou Amadu Bah expressed confidence in Aïcha Touré and encouraged staff to give her the same support they gave him. He also thanked his family, the Board of Directors, shareholders and the executive team for their support.
The ceremony concluded with a standing ovation, farewell messages from departments and regional teams, the presentation of gifts, marking both the end of Bah’s tenure and the beginning of a new leadership chapter for Orange Sierra Leone.
