By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In an exclusive engagement with an array of media practitioners and Civil Society activists, the Director General of the National Communications Authority (NaTCA), Amara Brewah, provided an in-depth explanation of the Authority’s regulatory mandate and its pivotal role in shaping Sierra Leone’s digital and communications landscape. He described NaTCA as the country’s principal regulator for electronic communications and digital infrastructure, established under the National Communications Authority Act of 2022. The Act, he explained, empowers the Authority to issue licences, manage the national radio frequency spectrum and numbering plan, enforce standards, protect consumers and promote fair competition within the communications sector. According to Amara Brewah, NaTCA operates as an independent regulatory body that reports to Parliament through annual reports and audits, ensuring accountability while maintaining focus on long-term sectoral development and stability.
Addressing the gathering, Amara Brewah explained that NaTCA’s operations are built on the principle of balancing stakeholder interests; Government, consumers and investors. He stressed that the Authority supports the Government’s priorities in national security, economic development and universal access by aligning its regulatory framework with the National Digital Economy Strategy.
The Director General highlighted that NaTCA’s policies promote connectivity, innovation and cybersecurity while also managing the Universal Access Development Fund to extend communication services to remote and underserved communities. He disclosed that NaTCA contributes to national policy formulation by providing technical data and recommendations to the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation.
A recent cost study on telecommunications services, he said, is being used to develop pricing formulas that ensure affordability while safeguarding investor confidence.
Amara Brewah underscored that NaTCA’s consumer protection mandate remains one of its strongest pillars. He explained that the Authority is responsible for resolving disputes between operators and subscribers concerning rates, billing and service quality.
According to him, NaTCA enforces strict quality of service standards, regulates equipment safety and ensures transparency in subscription validity to prevent consumers from being shortchanged.
“The regulator’s role is delicate because we must consider three different players; consumers, investors and the Government,” he stated, emphasizing that “the first person is the consumer.” He reaffirmed that NaTCA’s commitment to quality service delivery is non-negotiable and that enforcement actions against defaulters, though sometimes unpopular, are necessary to protect the public interest. “These actions are not punitive but corrective, ensuring that service providers take the people of Sierra Leone seriously,” he noted.
Speaking further, Amara Brewah said NaTCA continues to maintain a fair and stable investment climate for operators through transparent licensing, interconnection rules and infrastructure-sharing policies. He explained that the Authority enforces competition laws, investigates anti-competitive practices and intervenes where necessary to prevent market abuse or monopolistic behavior.
He reaffirmed that NaTCA’s stakeholder consultation processes are designed to foster inclusivity and transparency, allowing industry players to contribute meaningfully to regulatory decisions.
The Director General also pointed out that NaTCA’s credibility ultimately rests on public trust, which is built through clear and consistent communication with consumers. Citing examples, he noted that the ongoing SIM registration and National Identification Number (NIN) linkage, though seen by some as inconvenient, is essential to combat digital fraud and strengthen national security. Likewise, he said cost-based pricing regulations and enforcement actions against defaulting operators are meant to ensure fairness, affordability and integrity within the industry. “We only resort to sanctions when dialogue fails. Such actions are taken to protect consumers and uphold the quality of service that Sierra Leoneans deserve,” he stressed.
Concluding his engagement with the media and civil society, Amara Brewah reiterated NaTCA’s unwavering commitment to balancing the interests of all stakeholders, Government, investors and consumers. He said recent reforms, including cost-based pricing reviews, enhanced service quality monitoring and the enforcement of SIM registration policies, reflect NaTCA’s drive to promote transparency, accountability and public trust. “Our ultimate goal,” he said, “is to create a vibrant, inclusive and secure digital ecosystem for Sierra Leone; one that supports innovation, protects consumer rights and ensures that communication remains a tool for national development and progress.”
