On August 29, 2024, senior officials from Sierra Leone’s National Communications Authority (NATCA) and the Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation received a warm welcome in Conakry from their counterparts in Guinea’s Regulatory Authority for Posts and Telecommunications (ARPT) and the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy (MPTEN).
The visit aimed to finalize the technical details for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sierra Leone and Guinea. This agreement is expected to strengthen cooperation in areas like fiber optic interconnection, fighting cybercrime, and introducing the “Free-Roaming” initiative.
During the initial discussions, the Secretary General of MPTEN, standing in for the Guinean Minister, highlighted the importance of this collaboration for both countries. Mr. Amara Brewah, Director General of NATCA, expressed his appreciation for the progress made during the talks and voiced optimism that the MoU will soon be officially signed.
Over the course of two days, the teams from both countries, including representatives from MoCTI, NaTCA, MPTEN, ARPT, SOGEB, and GUILAB, carefully worked through the agreement’s key points. On the second day, the delegation, led by ARPT’s Deputy General Manager, Mr. Adama Condé, and MPTEN’s Chief of Staff, Mr. N’Faly Sylla, visited critical infrastructure sites, including SOGEB and GUILAB facilities.
After two days of productive dialogue, the teams successfully finalized a draft of the agreement. The next step is to develop a detailed action plan leading up to the official signing of the MoU by the Telecommunications Ministers of Sierra Leone and Guinea.
