Minister Salima Bah Blames Outdated Technology for Sierratel’s Decline

As public debate intensifies over mounting debt and staff arrears at Sierratel, the Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Madam Salima Bah, has attributed the company’s decline primarily to outdated technology.

Speaking on the issue, the Minister said Sierratel’s challenges go beyond financial constraints, pointing to a critical technological decision made in 2014 when the company upgraded to Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology while the global telecommunications industry was shifting toward Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM).

“The manufacturer made it obsolete. They stopped producing CDMA equipment. That became the start of the challenge Sierratel faced,” she explained.

The move left the state-owned telecommunications company dependent on a system with limited technical support, scarce spare parts, and no clear upgrade pathway. As CDMA technology was gradually phased out worldwide, service quality declined, customers migrated to competing networks, and revenues dropped.

Sierratel is currently reported to be burdened with over $35 million in external debt, along with approximately $6.3 million in staff-related liabilities, reflecting the scale of its financial and operational difficulties.

Despite these challenges, Minister Bah said the government is pursuing a comprehensive recovery strategy focused on modernization. She outlined key priorities, including addressing both technical and financial constraints, investing in modern network infrastructure, and restoring public confidence in the company.

Among the options under consideration are migration to 4G/LTE technology, expansion of fiber-optic connectivity, and the establishment of strategic partnerships aimed at injecting technical expertise while maintaining government ownership.

The Minister noted that the broader goal is to reposition Sierratel as a viable national asset capable of supporting e-government services, education, and healthcare delivery.

She also emphasized that employee welfare remains a critical component of the recovery plan, acknowledging the significant arrears owed to staff.

“Technology does not run itself. You need the people who kept this network alive under difficult conditions,” she said.

Despite its current situation, Sierratel still possesses key infrastructure assets, including network towers, spectrum, and wide national coverage, particularly in underserved rural communities. According to the Minister, these assets are essential for advancing Sierra Leone’s digital transformation agenda.