By Emma Black
Orange Sierra Leone on Friday 6 February, 2026 held its Annual Media Engagement at Hill Station in Freetown, bringing together a broad cross-section of the media and key stakeholders to review the company’s performance, challenges, and contributions to national development.
The engagement attracted reporters, editors, producers, government representatives, the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), officials from the Independent Media Commission (IMC), and representatives of media houses that benefit from Orange Sierra Leone’s operational support.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernor Bah commended Orange Sierra Leone for its extensive network coverage across the country, describing it as one of the most far-reaching telecommunications networks in Sierra Leone.
The Minister Chernor Bah revealed that during a recent trip to Bonthe District, he was surprised to discover that Orange network coverage was available even in the last village of the district.
He explained that although it took about one hour and forty minutes by boat to cross to the other side of the district, he was still able to make calls and access mobile services.
“This is helping government work and communication in very remote areas,” the Minister said.
Chernor Bah also referenced findings from a recent survey conducted by the Ministry, which showed that many students still rely on radio as their primary source of information, while others access news through newspapers and social media platforms where journalists share and analyse headlines and stories.
The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Alhaji Manika Kamara expressed gratitude to Orange Sierra Leone for its continuous support to journalists, particularly through the SLAJ Media Awards and other capacity-building initiatives.
He noted that the association inherited a strong partnership with Orange Sierra Leone and remains appreciative of the company’s contribution to improving journalism standards in the country.
However, the SLAJ President also raised concerns about data reliability and network stability, noting that journalists and citizens sometimes experience interruptions even after purchasing data bundles.
Sometimes you buy data for a week, but it cuts off before the time expires, he said, urging orange Sierra Leone to improve data services, especially as the country’s leading mobile network provider.
As a nation, we expect more from Orange, he added.
A representative of the executives’ secretary of the Independent Media Commission (IMC) Mr. Khalil Kallon also expressed appreciation to Orange Sierra Leone for making internet access more available to journalists, despite occasional network challenges.
He acknowledged that while connectivity issues still occur, Orange Sierra Leone has played a significant role in supporting media operations nationwide.
During the interactive session, a female journalist raised concerns over account restrictions, explaining that her orange line had been blocked for nearly three years without clear explanation.
She said she had visited orange offices several times without resolution, adding that some customers experience line suspensions without prior notification.
Orange Sierra Leone responded by acknowledging customer concerns and reiterated its commitment to improving service delivery and customer engagement.
Orange Sierra Leone used the platform to outline its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, including, Distribution of food during the month of Ramadan, scholarships for students, medical outreach to rural communities, breast and cervical cancer screening and testing programme Support to health centres and construction of schools in rural villages
The company disclosed that 65 percent of its workforce are women, demonstrating its strong commitment to women’s empowerment, leadership, and gender equality.
The new Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Aicha Toure, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to working closely with the media and improving mobile network services nationwide.
She emphasized Orange’s ambition to remain a responsible and preferred market leader, dedicated to improving the daily lives of Sierra Leoneans through reliable digital services.
Orange Sierra Leone currently serves over 3.1 million GSM customers, with more than 1.2 million mobile data users.
The company has invested over Le 568 million in network development and contributed NLe 8.2 million to CSR initiatives.
Orange Sierra Leone also maintains a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and fraud and remains an active partner in Sierra Leone’s digital transformation and sustainable development agenda.
The annual media engagement concluded with renewed calls for stronger collaboration between Orange Sierra Leone and the media to enhance information access, accountability, and national development.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 11th February 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
