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Telecommunications in Sierra Leone include radio, television, fixed and mobile telephones, and the Internet. Radio remains the most widely accessed and trusted media source in the country, with high listenership particularly in urban and peri‑urban areas. Sierra Leone’s broadcast landscape includes a mix of government‑owned and private radio and television stations, with community and commercial outlets serving both urban and rural populations.

Telephone services have grown significantly since the early 2010s, driven primarily by mobile cellular networks. As of late 2025, there were approximately 8.94 million active cellular mobile connections in Sierra Leone, equivalent to about 101 % of the population, reflecting widespread access to mobile communication.

Internet access has expanded in recent years alongside mobile network growth. By the end of 2025, an estimated 1.85 million individuals in Sierra Leone were using the internet, corresponding to roughly 20.8 % of the population. Mobile broadband (including 3G and 4G services) now covers a large portion of the population, although actual usage varies by region and device access.

Radio and television

  • Radios: 1.12 million radios (1997).
  • Television sets: 53,000 (1997).
  • Television stations: One government-owned TV station; one private TV station began operating in 2005; pay-TV services are available (2007).
  • Radio stations: One government-owned national radio station; about two dozen private radio stations primarily clustered in major cities; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available (2007).

Outside the capital Freetown and other major cities, television is not watched by a great many people, although Bo, Kenema, and Makeni are served by their own relays of the main SLBC service. There are two national, free terrestrial television stations in Sierra Leone, one run by the government SLBC and the other a private station, AIT (Africa Independent Television) which is linked with the Nigerian station of the same name.

The United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) ran one of the most popular stations in the country, broadcasting programs in a range of languages. The UN mission was restructured in 2008 and it was decided that UN Radio would merge with SLBS to form the new Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC). This merger took place in April 2010 after the necessary legislation was enacted. SLBC transmits radio on FM and has two television services, one of which is uplinked by satellite for international consumption. The SLBC is operated by an Independent Media Commission (IMC), under the supervision of the Sierra Leone Ministry of Information and Communications.

FM relays of the BBC World Service, Radio France Internationale and Voice of America are also broadcast.

The All People’s Congress (APC) and opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) radio stations that were shut down in the wake of the 2009 riots remain closed.

  • Main lines:
  • 18,000 lines in use (2012);

Internet

  • Top-level domain: .sl
  • 14,900 (2009).
  • Internet service providers (ISPs) (2014):
  • Cajutel
  • Afcom
  • Iptel
  • Limeline
  • Onlime
  • Sierra WiFi
  • Alemobet Innovations
  • VSAT Satellite Service Providers (2014):
  • GlobalTT
  • Limeline
  • Onlime
  • Vizocom

Internet access in Sierra Leone has been sparse, but is on the increase, especially since the introduction of 3G cellular phone services across the country and the arrival of the ACE cable in Freetown in the second half of 2011. Freetown has Internet cafes and other businesses offering Internet access. Problems experienced with access to the Internet include an intermittent electricity supply Outside of Freetown enterprises generally have to rely on VSAT satellite services.

Internet censorship and surveillance

There are no government restrictions on access to the Internet or credible reports that the government monitors e-mail or Internet chat rooms. Individuals and groups engage in the expression of views via the Internet, including by e-mail.

The constitution and law provide for freedom of speech and press, and the government generally respects these rights. An independent press, a generally effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combine to ensure freedom of speech and press. The law criminalizes defamatory and seditious libel, but is rarely applied. Its threatened application may stifle expression and journalists do engage in self-censorship. The constitution and laws prohibit arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home, or correspondence, and the government generally respects these prohibitions.