Parliament has urged mobile giants Orange Sierra Leone and Africell Sierra Leone to swiftly develop a new low-cost, user-friendly data package in partnership with the National Telecommunications Authority (NatCA), following widespread public concern over the discontinuation of the popular Le 60 (1MBPS) bundle.

This call emerged during a high-level public hearing on Wednesday, 19th November 2025, where legislators examined the telecommunications sector’s challenges in a packed Committee Room No. 1. The session brought together the Parliamentary Committees on Communication and Technology and Transparency and Accountability, chaired by Honourable Boston Munda and Honourable Ambrose Maada Lebby respectively.

Lawmakers used the platform to scrutinize the circumstances surrounding the withdrawn data bundle, assess the quality of service nationwide, and demand assurances of improved affordability for citizens.

Executives from both companies delivered open and detailed presentations that outlined their operational realities, regulatory engagements and efforts to keep data accessible despite rising demand and network strain.

Orange Sierra Leone’s CEO, Sekou Amadou Bah, maintained that the Le 60 bundle was promotional and not a regulated tariff. He assured Parliament that Orange remains committed to designing an affordable entry-level package that balances customer expectations with network efficiency and long-term viability. Bah also reaffirmed the operator’s continued investment in wider coverage and improved user experience.

NatCA’s Director-General, Amara Brewah, confirmed that both operators have adhered to regulatory directives and are actively collaborating on a sustainable alternative data plan. He emphasized that consumer protection and operator viability are both essential pillars of Sierra Leone’s digital development.

Officials from the Ministry of Communications, Technology and Innovation echoed these sentiments, applauding the operators’ engagement with government and their role in expanding the country’s digital footprint through major infrastructure investments.
Despite these assurances, Members of Parliament highlighted persistent gaps in service delivery, including network reliability and customer-care efficiency. Honourable Munda noted that Parliament will intensify its oversight to guarantee that citizens receive value for money and that telecommunications services better support national development and security.

At the close of deliberations, Parliament issued several key resolutions:
Orange and Africell must jointly work with NatCA to introduce a new affordable data product to replace the Le 60 bundle.
The package must prioritize accessibility for vulnerable groups, especially students and rural users.
Operators must improve transparency and public communication around tariffs and service upgrades.
The final proposal will undergo parliamentary review to ensure it meets consumer protection standards.

Parliament concluded by reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the telecommunications sector and expanding digital inclusion. Lawmakers expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of Orange, Africell and NatCA, Sierra Leone is moving toward a more reliable and consumer-friendly digital future, one where affordability and accessibility remain at the center of national connectivity efforts.