On November 22, 2024, Minister of Communication, Technology, and Innovation, Salima Monorma Bah, and Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy, Rose Pola Pricemou, in Conakry signed a framework agreement to enhance collaboration in the Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy sectors. The signing ceremony, held at the Atlantic Hotel in Freetown, brought together senior officials, industry stakeholders, and regulatory authorities from both nations.
The agreement builds on high-level engagements, including a meeting between Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communications, Technology, and Innovation, Madam Salima Monorma Bah, and Guinea’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy, Rose Pola Pricemou, in August 2024. It outlines priorities such as infrastructure sharing, combating cybercrime, and a “Free-Roaming” initiative aimed at improving cross-border communication and promoting economic growth.
In his keynote address the Chief Minister, Dr. Moinina David Sengeh spoke about the significance of connectivity for economic growth and inclusivity, highlighting the agreement’s focus on linking fiber networks, improving service delivery, and empowering rural areas through digital transformation.
Madam Salima Bah noted the agreement aligns with ECOWAS and Africa’s broader vision for regional integration and a unified digital market, ensuring affordable, reliable internet access as a basic human right. The agreement also promotes public-private partnerships, secure communication channels, and regional roaming services. It emphasizes compliance with international standards and collaboration with entities like ECOWAS, SMART Africa, and the ITU to enhance global competitiveness.
Regulatory bodies from both countries, including Sierra Leone NaTCA and Guinea’s ARPT, will oversee implementation, supported by a joint commission that will monitor progress and promote sustainable development in telecommunications and the digital economy.
This partnership is set to drive innovation, improve connectivity, and strengthen economic resilience across the region, demonstrating the power of collaboration in advancing digital transformation.