By Josephine Sesay
Once again, Sierra Leoneans are paying the price for silence, and this time it’s literally coming out of our pockets. Without warning or justification, our two biggest telecom operators, Orange and Africell, have hiked their data prices overnight.
No press releases, no public consultation, no explanation whatsoever. Just new, higher rates staring back at us. For a country already struggling with high living costs and limited job opportunities, this sudden increase in data tariffs is not just frustrating, it’s deeply unfair. Many rely on affordable internet for school, work, and daily communication. In a digital age where connection means opportunity, this move pushes ordinary citizens further to the margins.
What makes this sting even more is the glaring contradiction: internet quality in Sierra Leone remains poor.
Dropped connections, slow speeds, and unreliable coverage have become the norm. So, how do prices rise when performance is falling?
It’s a bitter irony, citizens are expected to pay premium rates for substandard service. It’s like buying bottled water and getting tap water instead.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) cannot stay silent. As the regulatory body tasked with overseeing telecom operations, it owes the public a clear explanation. Was this increase approved? If yes, why wasn’t the public informed?
Sierra Leoneans have every right to question decisions that affect their daily lives. NATCOM must demand transparency from Orange and Africell, because without accountability, the people are left defenseless.
President Julius Maada Bio has often spoken about building a “smart nation,” but a smart nation cannot exist when citizens are priced out of connectivity. Affordable internet is the backbone of education, business, and innovation. When data becomes expensive, development slows down.
Now is the time for leadership that listens. The government must ensure that corporate interests do not override public welfare.
Telecom companies must be reminded that their success depends on the trust and loyalty of the people they serve. Increasing prices without communication is not only disrespectful, it’s exploitative.
Sierra Leoneans are patient, but they are not blind. They see the inconsistencies, they feel the pinch, and they deserve respect.
This is not just about data. It is about dignity. If service quality doesn’t improve, there should be no price increase. Period. The message is simple – we deserve fairness, transparency, and value for our money. Sierra Leoneans will no longer accept being taken for granted.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 5th Noverber 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
