The Director General of the Sonatel Group, Brelotte BA, has reaffirmed the Group’s long-term commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s digital transformation agenda, pledging intensified investments in nationwide connectivity, 4G expansion and modern telecommunications infrastructure.
Brelotte BA made the assurance on Friday, 28 November 2025, during a high-level courtesy visit to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio at State House in Freetown. The engagement focused on strengthening digital inclusion, enhancing connectivity and unlocking the pivotal role of telecommunications in accelerating national development.
Introducing the delegation, the Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Sekou Amadou Bah, described the Sonatel Group CEO as a seasoned telecoms leader with more than two decades of experience across Orange and Sonatel operations in Senegal, Mali, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. He stressed that Brelotte BA’s regional expertise is instrumental in driving Orange Sierra Leone’s growth and improving service quality for customers nationwide.
During the discussion, Brelotte BA outlined Sonatel’s strategic priorities for Sierra Leone, including the accelerated expansion of 4G services to underserved and rural areas, continued investment in network modernization and deeper alignment with Government’s broader digital transformation and innovation goals. He disclosed that all Orange Sierra Leone network macro sites are already delivering 4G services, adding that the Group is stepping up efforts to extend high-speed connectivity to additional districts and hard-to-reach communities.
“Our investments are focused on building robust, future-ready infrastructure that can support education, entrepreneurship, public service delivery and broader economic growth,” Brelotte BA said, emphasizing that reliable digital systems are foundational to inclusive development.
The Sonatel Group CEO’s visit precedes the commissioning of Orange Sierra Leone’s second data centre in Bo, a major infrastructure investment expected to improve network reliability, enhance resilience and strengthen the backbone for future digital services. He noted that the new facility represents a strategic step in solidifying Sierra Leone’s digital infrastructure and improving service availability across the Southern and Eastern regions.
Brelotte BA further highlighted the Group’s commitment to digital inclusion, pointing out that Orange Sierra Leone has already established seven digital schools nationwide. He said the company plans to scale up more technology-driven programmes to empower young people, students, entrepreneurs and innovators.
He commended President Bio for consistently providing strong leadership in the telecommunications sector and creating an enabling environment that supports private-sector investment and digital growth.
In response, President Julius Maada Bio welcomed the delegation and applauded Sonatel Group, Orange Middle East and Africa, and Orange Sierra Leone for their continued contribution to the nation’s digital and socio-economic progress. He underscored that telecommunications remains a powerful engine for national development, enabling access to education, commerce, governance and innovation.
The President also welcomed the accelerated rollout of 4G services, the forthcoming inauguration of the Bo Data Centre and sustained investments in telecommunications infrastructure. He described those initiatives as critical to advancing inclusive growth, boosting competitiveness and expanding opportunities for citizens and businesses across Sierra Leone.
President Bio reaffirmed Government’s commitment to fostering partnerships that strengthen the digital ecosystem, noting that such collaboration is essential for Sierra Leone to thrive in a rapidly evolving global technology landscape.
