Our investigations have revealed that due to the increase in management cost, mobile service providers in the country are set to layoff over five hundred staff working in the telecommunication sector.

It is worthy to note that the telecommunication sector has been one of the leading employers in the country in terms of creating jobs for Sierra Leoneans; and it has the highest rate of youth employment. Many people have considered the telecommunication sector as the leaders in youth empowerment.

Suddenly, if nothing is done to support the sector, it will suddenly add to the high rates of unemployment in the country. It is no gainsaying that the telecommunication sector has served as a huge boost to the economy of the country; thereby supporting all sectors of the country, ranging from education, sport, financial inclusion, media, trade, women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship and lots more.

Over the years, the telecommunication sector has helped the government of Sierra Leone in achieving key development Ideliverables in meeting the needs of the people. At this turbulent time for all mobile companies in the country, it is worth. mentioning that it is expedient for the regulatory body, the Ministry of Information and Communication and other Ministries and Agencies that are concerned to put hands on deck and salvage the challenges that these network service providers are facing in the country.

Our investigations further indicated that, the special charges levied on mobile service.
operators on petroleum products and the astronomical rise of the foreign exchange. rate as against the leones have posed major. challenges for all mobile service operators in the country.

The current foreign exchange rate, particularly the dollar which is the most popular currency in Sierra Leone, has toppled the leones in an unimaginable. manner and has adversely affected all mobile service operators in the country. It is. no fun that the astronomical rise of the dollar as against the leones has badly hit he telecommunication sector of the country.

Our sources are also concerned that if things do not change most of the mobile service operators will lay-off some staff until things return to normal.