Sierra Leone’s mobile network coverage now stands at 97 percent for 4G, 96.48 percent for 3G, and 98.55 percent for 2G voice services.

These milestones which reflect major strides in bridging the digital divide were achieved just as the country hosted a major regional telecommunications summit in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) this week.

The summit offered the National Communications Authority (NaTCA), the telecom regulator, opportunity to showcase notable progress in expanding mobile and internet coverage across the nation.

The event, which convened regulators, policymakers, and telecom experts from over 35 countries, aimed to drive improvements in service quality across Africa. For Sierra Leone, however, it was also an opportunity to spotlight a decade-long transformation in digital connectivity.

“This summit came at a time Sierra Leone has made unprecedented gains in telecom penetration,” said Sahr Sewah, director of engineering and infrastructure at NaTCA during a live appearance on 98.1 FM's Good Morning Salone program on Tuesday. “From cities to the most rural villages, we're ensuring every Sierra Leonean can access quality voice and internet services.”

While mobile operators have driven much of the infrastructure expansion, NaTCA credits bold policy reforms and strategic investments, including the Universal Access Development Fund (UADF), for pushing connectivity into remote and commercially unattractive areas.

“Through the UADF, we are filling coverage gaps where private operators wouldn’t typically invest. Villages that were once cut off now have mobile and internet access,” the NaTCA official added.

Another key innovation is the shift to granular monitoring of service quality. Rather than rely on broad, national-level averages, NaTCA now evaluates performance at the cell site level, the most localized unit in a telecom network.

“This cell-level data helps us hold operators accountable. We don’t just want coverage that looks good on paper; we want real, usable connectivity for people on the ground,” the official emphasized.

Sierra Leone is also piloting next-generation 5G technology through trial licenses, while promoting regional collaboration on infrastructure sharing and regulatory harmonization.

“Hosting this summit has given us the platform to share our progress, learn from peers, and advocate for Africa-wide digital transformation,” Sewah added.

The summit which began in Freetown on Tuesday ended on Friday, with participants from across Africa and the global telecom sector.