NatCA DG Urges Inclusive Spectrum Policies to Drive Africa’s Digital Growth
Kigali, Rwanda November 3, 2025 | MWC25 Ministerial Programme Stage, Kigali Convention Center
In a defining moment for Africa’s digital transformation journey, Mr. Amara Brewah, Director General of the National Communications Authority (NatCA) Sierra Leone, delivered an inspiring and transformative keynote address at the Mobile World Congress (MWC25) Africa in Kigali. Speaking to a distinguished audience of government ministers, telecom regulators, global industry leaders, and development partners, Mr. Brewah set forth a compelling vision for “Empowering Africa Through Inclusive Spectrum Policies.”
A Visionary Voice for Africa’s Digital Future
Mr. Brewah’s keynote went beyond technical policy it was a call to collective action. With eloquence and conviction, he emphasized that Africa’s next great revolution will not be fueled by natural resources like oil or diamonds, but by connectivity.
Spectrum may be invisible,” he declared, “but its impact is everywhere. It powers our phones, our radios, our emergency services, our schools, our hospitals, and our economies.”
He described spectrum
as the unseen heartbeat of digital transformation a priceless resource that can drive social inclusion, economic opportunity, and national development. For him, inclusive spectrum management is not just about technology it is about equity, fairness, and human dignity.
Every African,” he said, “whether in a bustling capital or a remote village, deserves a signal, a voice, and a chance.”
Policy Reform with Purpose
Mr. Brewah outlined a bold framework for transformative spectrum reform across Africa
one grounded in transparency, innovation, and inclusion.
His key recommendations included:
Transparent licensing systems to attract responsible investment.
Fair pricing models that encourage rural rollout rather than profit maximization.
Coverage-based incentives that reward expansion instead of mere revenue collection.
Innovation-friendly policies to empower startups, small operators, and community networks.
He urged African policymakers to rethink spectrum as a development enabler, not a government cash cow.
Every connected village,” he emphasized, “means hope restored.”
Rural Connectivity: From Isolation to Empowerment
Drawing vivid examples from Sierra Leone, Mr. Brewah illustrated how digital access is transforming lives:
A farmer in Kambia checking real-time market prices.
A nurse in a village clinic consulting doctors in Freetown via telemedicine.
A student in a remote community attending online classes.
Connectivity turns isolation into inclusion. It turns potential into prosperity. It turns inequality into empowerment.
He called for predictable regulatory policies, infrastructure sharing, and simplified approval systems to make rural connectivity sustainable and affordable.
Sierra Leone’s Leadership in Spectrum Innovation
Under Mr. Brewah’s dynamic leadership, NatCA Sierra Leone has emerged as a regional model for progressive spectrum management. The Authority has:
Modernized its spectrum frameworks to be transparent and inclusive.
Reviewed fee structures to attract domestic and foreign investment.
Fostered public-private partnerships and infrastructure sharing.
Aligned national policies with WATRA, ATU, and ITU frameworks.
He also highlighted Sierra Leone’s success in deploying Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) systems to expand rural coverage and bridge the digital divide.
Our goal is simple,” Mr. Brewah said. “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 to Digital Policy
In a deeply personal moment, Mr. Brewah shared the story of Aminata, a young girl from rural Sierra Leone who studies by torchlight but dreams of becoming a nurse. Her access to online education enabled by inclusive spectrum policies symbolizes what connectivity truly means.
It’s not about megahertz,” he said softly. “It’s about hope
hope made visible through connectivity.”
A Continental Call to Action
Mr. Brewah concluded with a three-point agenda for Africa’s digital future:
- Publish or update national connectivity roadmaps across all African states.
- Reform spectrum pricing and licensing to accelerate rural and underserved-area expansion.
- Promote cross-sector collaboration and innovation from community networks to satellite broadband.
Spectrum is not just a technical resource,” he affirmed. “It is a human resource. It carries the voices of our people, the ideas of our youth, and the dreams of our future.”
A Beacon of Leadership at MWC25 Kigali
Mr. Brewah’s keynote was widely recognized as one of the most impactful sessions at this year’s MWC Africa. His leadership
anchored in vision, inclusion, and innovation
continues to inspire a new generation of African policymakers and digital pioneers.
When Africa is connected,” he concluded, “Africa is unstoppable.”
