Orange Sierra Leone on 6th February 2026 hosted its Annual Media Engagement at the Orange Digital Center on Hill Station in Freetown, bringing together over 100 journalists, editors, regulators and key stakeholders to review the company’s 2025 performance and outline priorities for the year ahead.

Held under the theme: “Connecting with the Media, Sharing Our Story,” the engagement reaffirmed Orange Sierra Leone’s commitment to transparency, collaboration and open dialogue with the media, while highlighting achievements in network expansion, digital inclusion and social impact.

President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Alhaji Manika Kamara, described Orange Sierra Leone as one of the most consistent corporate partners of the media in the country. He emphasized that the relationship between SLAJ and Orange is rooted in mutual respect and shared democratic values.

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“This has not been a relationship of convenience but one built on trust, shared values and recognition of the media’s role in democracy and development,” he said.

Alhaji Manika Kamara highlighted Orange’s continued support to SLAJ, including assistance for annual general meetings, governance processes, welfare initiatives and capacity building across the country. He noted that Orange remains one of the few corporate institutions that consistently invests in journalists’ wellbeing.

He also particularly commended the company for providing scholarships for journalists pursuing undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctoral studies, describing the initiative as long-term investments in professionalism and media excellence.

“These are not short-term gestures. They are strategic interventions that strengthen knowledge, ethics and opportunity within the media sector,” he stated, expressing hope that the company’s new leadership would sustain such initiatives.

Alhaji Manika Kamara also praised Orange for supporting national journalism awards, which he described as platforms for promoting ethical and professional reporting.

While expressing appreciation, the SLAJ President reminded journalists of their responsibilities in a challenging information environment, urging them to uphold accuracy, balance and verification.

“Partnerships come with expectations. Ethical journalism and fact-checking must remain at the core of our work,” he cautioned.

He further emphasized journalist safety, innovation and the empowerment of young and female reporters as key priorities for SLAJ, reaffirming the Association’s commitment to constructive engagement with corporate partners.

Executive Secretary of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), Khalil Kallon, commended Orange Sierra Leone for fostering collaboration between regulators, service providers, Government and the media.

“The theme of this engagement is timely. Trust, accessibility and cooperation are essential in today’s fast-changing digital environment,” he said.

Khalil Kallon noted that telecommunications companies play a critical role in national development beyond connectivity, shaping how citizens access information, do business and engage in public discourse.

He praised Orange’s longstanding support to media training and information sharing but appealed for stronger assistance to community radio stations, especially in rural areas.

“These stations remain the primary source of information for thousands of citizens yet they struggle with power supply, equipment shortages and limited training,” he said.

He urged corporate institutions to view media support not merely as corporate social responsibility but as an investment in a healthy information ecosystem. He also reminded journalists to report responsibly, stressing that ethical reporting builds public trust and constructive engagement.

Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Madam Aicha Toure, underscored the critical role of the media in shaping national dialogue, accountability and democracy.

“Your work matters and we respect the responsibility you carry every day,” she told journalists.

She acknowledged the achievements of her predecessor and outlined three key priorities guiding her leadership: network experience and reliability, digital inclusion and trust with responsibility.

Madam Aicha Toure emphasized continued investment in infrastructure to improve coverage, service quality and resilience.

“For customers, reliability is not a slogan. It is about calls connecting, data working and consistent service,” she said.

She highlighted Orange’s investments in fibre expansion, data centres and international connectivity, noting that digital infrastructure must translate into real opportunities in education, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and public services.

The CEO reaffirmed Orange’s commitment to ethics, transparency, cybersecurity and data protection, describing trust as central to customer relationships. She also pledged to expand social impact initiatives in education, digital skills, environmental sustainability and community development.

“As a new CEO, listening to customers and the media is one of my key priorities. Your questions help us make better decisions,” she added.

In his keynote address, Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, highlighted the media’s role in promoting unity, accountability and responsible storytelling, urging journalists to balance challenges with national progress.

He commended Orange Sierra Leone for expanding digital connectivity, noting its impact even in remote communities.

“I have visited some of the farthest villages and found strong network connectivity. People can now communicate, send money and do business. That is real progress,” he said.

The Minister disclosed that Sierra Leone now enjoys nearly 100 percent 3G coverage and over 90 percent 4G coverage, describing the achievements as evidence of digital transformation.

He cautioned against sensationalism, stressing the importance of fact-checking and professionalism, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 elections.

“The media can build trust and cohesion but it can also undermine confidence if stories are exaggerated,” he warned.

Minister Chernor Bah noted that while radio remains the most trusted source of news, newspapers continue to shape the national agenda, even as stories circulate widely on social media. He called for constructive engagement with bloggers and digital content creators, acknowledging their growing influence.

He described the relationship between Government, the private sector and the media as symbiotic, stressing that development depends on cooperation and shared commitment to truth.

The engagement concluded with presentations on Orange Sierra Leone’s corporate performance and social impact, followed by interactive discussions with journalists and stakeholders.