The Director General of the National Communications Authority (NatCA), Amara Brewah, has showcased Sierra Leone’s potential in his transformative Keynote address titled “Empowering Africa Through Inclusive Spectrum Policies” to a distinguished audience of ministers, regulators, industry leaders, and development partners at MWC25 Kigali Convention Center. A Visionary Voice for Africa’s Digital Future, Mr. Brewah’s keynote was more than a policy address—it was a call to action. With clarity and conviction, he emphasized that Africa’s next wave of development will be powered not by oil or diamonds, but by connectivity, and at the heart of that transformation lies a quiet, invisible, yet priceless resource: spectrum. “Spectrum may be invisible,” he said, “but its impact is everywhere.
It powers our phones, our radios, our emergency services, our schools, our hospitals, our economies.” He framed inclusive spectrum policy as not merely technical, but as a social, economic, and moral mission, advocating for fairness and equity so that every African—whether in a capital city or a rural village—has a signal, a voice, and a chance.
Policy Reform with Purpose
Mr. Brewah outlined a bold framework for spectrum reform across Africa: Transparent licensing to attract investment, Fair pricing to encourage rural rollout, Coverage-based incentives over revenue-based models, Innovation-friendly policies to empower smaller players and communities. He urged policymakers to treat spectrum not as a revenue stream, but as a development tool, emphasizing that “every connected village means hope restored.”
Rural Connectivity:
From Isolation to Empowerment, highlighting the transformative power of rural connectivity, Mr. Brewah shared vivid examples: A farmer in Kambia checking market prices; A nurse in a village clinic consulting a doctor in Freetown; A student attending online classes from a remote area. “Connectivity turns isolation into inclusion. It turns potential into prosperity. It turns inequality into empowerment,” he stressed, adding that the last mile must enjoy the same quality of connection as the first, and that inclusion requires predictable policies, infrastructure sharing, and simplified approvals.
Sierra Leone’s Leadership in Spectrum Innovation
Under Mr. Brewah’s stewardship, NatCA Sierra Leone has become a regional model for progressive spectrum management: Modernizing spectrum frameworks to be transparent, fair, and inclusive; Reviewing fees to attract investment; Promoting partnerships and infrastructure sharing; Aligning with regional roadmaps and collaborating with WATRA, ATU, and ITU. He proudly noted Sierra Leone’s success with NGSO frameworks, which have expanded coverage to rural and remote communities, bridging the digital divide. “Our goal is simple: to make Sierra Leone a country where no community is left offline, and where connectivity is treated not as a luxury—but as a right.”
A Human-Centered Approach
Mr. Brewah’s speech culminated in a deeply personal story of Aminata, a young girl in rural Sierra Leone, who studies by torchlight and dreams of becoming a nurse. Her access to online learning, powered by inclusive spectrum policy, symbolizes the human impact of digital equity. “It’s not about megahertz—it’s about hope. Hope made visible through connectivity.”
A Continental Call to Action
He closed with three clear commitments for Africa’s digital future: Publish or update national connectivity roadmaps; Reform spectrum pricing and licensing for rural expansion; Promote collaboration and innovation—from community networks to satellites, “Spectrum is not just a technical resource. It is a human resource. It carries the voices of our people, the ideas of our youths, and the dreams of our future.”
A Beacon at MWC25 Kigali
Mr. Brewah’s keynote was a defining moment at Africa’s premier connectivity event. His leadership, grounded in vision and inclusivity, continues to inspire bold strategies for digital empowerment across the continent. “Because when Africa is connected, Africa is unstoppable.”