Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Sierra Leone’s Parliament has directed mobile network operators Africell and Orange to reverse their recent changes to data bundles and restore the popular Le60 weekly data plan within 24 hours.
The decision was issued on Friday, November 7th, 2025, during a parliamentary session where mobile operators were summoned to explain recent adjustments to their data services. The changes had sparked public concern, particularly among students who rely on affordable data for their education.
The key point of contention was the effective discontinuation of the Le 60 weekly data bundle, a move critics argue was implemented without adequate public notice or consultation.
During the parliamentary review, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, voiced strong dissatisfaction, focusing on the social cost of the price change.
He emphasized that the previous Le 60 weekly data bundle was crucial for students who depend on it for their schoolwork. Kargbo asserted that the increase would negatively affect their studies and directly called on Africell and Orange to immediately review their new data prices.
Orange Sierra Leone had previously announced the discontinuation of the Le 60 bundle, migrating customers to a Le 100 weekly plan with a faster speed (2Mbps). Africell replaced its unlimited weekly plan with a five-day, 2Mbps unlimited bundle priced at Le 80.
When questioned by the parliamentary committee about the reason for the change, Sekou Amadou Bah, Director General of Orange Sierra Leone, maintained that the companies had not raised the price for data itself.
Instead, he explained that the companies regulate data tariffs and services, which can affect the speed of the data a customer purchases, suggesting the new plans offered increased speed and value. Both companies have previously defended the restructuring as a necessary move to improve network speed, quality, and manage congestion.
Despite the explanation, the committee remained resolute in its demand for consumer protection.
In his concluding remarks on the issue, the committee chairman, Hon. Boston Munda, issued an order to the mobile network operators. He directed them to revert the weekly data price to the old rate within the next 24 hours.
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