Sierra Leone plans broadband connectivity for public institutions

Sierra Leone is conducting a feasibility study to establish a sustainable model for connecting public institutions, including schools, health centers, and government offices, to high-speed broadband infrastructure. The initiative focuses on ‘last-mile connectivity’ to ensure reliable internet access reaches both the capital, Freetown, and secondary cities.

A workshop held in Freetown on September 2 brought together the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation, telecommunications operators, and development partners. The goal is to identify a technically viable and financially sustainable framework to guide future procurement, infrastructure deployment, and investment decisions.

The Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project, supported by the World Bank, aims to modernize administrative, educational, and health services through digital integration. Previous efforts include testing Starlink connections in secondary schools and universities, as well as participating in Giga, a joint initiative by UNICEF and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) targeting 403 schools for internet connectivity.