Africell Launches Kidzonet to Strengthen Child Online Safety in Sierra Leone
Africell Sierra Leone on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, officially launched Kidzonet, a SIM-based child online protection service designed to enable children to access the internet safely while limiting exposure to harmful and age-inappropriate content. The service was unveiled at the Africell E-Learning Centre on Wilkinson Road in Freetown.
Kidzonet operates directly at the SIM level, requiring no applications or complex configurations. Parents and guardians can easily activate the service, ensuring protections are applied across mobile data usage. Africell described Kidzonet as Africa’s first SIM-based child online protection service, aimed at embedding safety directly into mobile connectivity.
Speaking at the launch, Africell Sierra Leone Chief Executive Officer, Shadi Gerjawi, said Kidzonet reflects the company’s belief that connectivity should be safe, responsible and designed to improve everyday life. He noted that Africell’s role extends beyond providing network access to shaping how families and communities experience the digital world.
Gerjawi added that the SIM-based design makes the service simple, inclusive and accessible, giving parents peace of mind without technical barriers. He said the initiative places trust, responsibility and care at the centre of Africell’s digital ecosystem.
The Deputy Director General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Maama Seiwoh-Koroma, described the launch as a significant milestone in safeguarding children online. She said that while the internet is vital for learning and communication, it also exposes children to risks such as harmful content, cyberbullying and online exploitation.
According to her, Kidzonet aligns with Sierra Leone’s legal framework, including the National Communications Authority Act 2022 and the Cybercrime Act 2021. She explained that the service enforces safe search, restricts access to certain social media platforms, filters YouTube content and provides a secure browsing environment for children.
Deputy Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Hindowa Buakai Bindi, welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely in an increasingly connected and AI-driven world. He said the Ministry has been advocating for stronger child online protection measures and views Kidzonet as a practical step forward.
Bindi called on parents and guardians to actively supervise their children’s online activities, warning that exposure to inappropriate content can quickly become harmful. He assured that the Ministry would monitor the rollout to ensure the service serves the best interests of children nationwide.
Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Salima Bah, commended Africell for its innovation and first-mover approach. She noted that SIM-based filtering is particularly important, as children can often bypass device-level controls.
She stressed the need to balance internet access with safety and urged other mobile network operators to prioritise child online protection. The Minister pledged government support to raise awareness and scale adoption through collaboration with relevant ministries and institutions.
Kidzonet can be activated by dialing *499#, selecting option 8, and following the instructions for a fee of Le9, payable via Afrimoney or airtime.
The launch underscores growing collaboration between telecom operators, regulators and government institutions to strengthen child online safety in Sierra Leone’s expanding digital space.
