NaTCA Boss Highlights the Authority Mandate To Safeguard Consumers and Promote Fair Competition

In an exclusive interview with the Director General of the National Communications Authority (NaTCA), Amara Brewah, he provided an in-depth explanation of the Authority’s regulatory mandate and its vital role in shaping Sierra Leone’s digital and communications landscape. He described NaTCA as the country’s principal regulator for electronic communications and digital infrastructure, established under the National Communications Authority Act of 2022. The law, he explained, empowers the Authority to issue licences, manage the national radio frequency spectrum and numbering plan, enforce standards, protect consumers, and promote fair competition within the sector. According to Amara Brewah, NaTCA operates as an independent regulatory body that reports to Parliament through annual reports and audits, maintaining accountability while focusing on long-term sectoral growth and stability.

Speaking on how the Authority balances stakeholder interests, Amara Brewah emphasized that NaTCA works to support the Government’s priorities in national security, economic development, and universal access. He stated that the Authority aligns its regulatory framework with the National Digital Economy Strategy, ensuring that its policies promote connectivity, cybersecurity, and innovation across the nation. Through initiatives such as the Universal Access Development Fund, NaTCA helps extend communications services to rural areas that have long been underserved. He revealed that the Authority also provides data-driven recommendations to the Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation, noting that a recent cost study on telecommunications services is being used to develop pricing formulas that guarantee affordability while supporting sustainable investment.

Amara Brewah underscored NaTCA’s strong consumer protection mandate, explaining that the Authority is responsible for resolving disputes between operators and subscribers concerning rates, billing, and service quality. He pointed out that NaTCA sets quality of service indicators, enforces standards for equipment and health safety, and ensures transparency in subscription validity to prevent consumers from being shortchanged. “The regulator’s role is delicate because we must consider three different players—consumers, investors, and the Government,” he said, stressing that “the first person is the consumer.” He reaffirmed that NaTCA’s commitment to quality service delivery remains non-negotiable. “Even when our enforcement actions are unpopular with some industry players, they are necessary to ensure that operators take the people of Sierra Leone seriously,” he added.

Turning to the investment climate, Amara Brewah explained that NaTCA fosters a stable regulatory environment that protects investors and encourages innovation. He noted that the Act empowers the Authority to issue transparent licence categories, regulate interconnection, and ensure fair access to infrastructure. Through its enforcement of fair competition and anti-monopoly measures, NaTCA intervenes in disputes, investigates anti-competitive behavior, and prevents abuse of market dominance. He said the Authority always engages stakeholders before implementing major decisions, ensuring transparency and inclusiveness in its regulatory processes.

Amara Brewah further emphasized that NaTCA’s legitimacy depends on public trust, which can only be maintained through consistent communication with consumers. He highlighted that policies such as SIM registration and National Identification Number (NIN) linkage, though initially seen as inconvenient, are critical to combating fraud and strengthening national security. Similarly, cost-based pricing regulations and enforcement actions against non-compliant operators, he explained, are designed to protect consumers and maintain the integrity of the communications industry. “We take enforcement actions only when engagement fails. These actions show that service quality and customer care are our top priorities,” he said.

Concluding the interview, Amara Brewah reaffirmed that the National Communications Authority is fully committed to balancing the often competing interests of government, consumers, and investors. He stressed that recent reforms—such as cost-based pricing studies, quality of service enforcement, and SIM registration requirements—reflect NaTCA’s resolve to strengthen transparency, accountability, and trust. “Our goal,” he stated, “is to ensure that the Government’s policy objectives are met, investors continue to innovate and expand, and consumers are fully protected and empowered. Even when our decisions seem tough in the short run, they are always guided by our long-term vision for a vibrant, inclusive, and secure digital ecosystem for Sierra Leone.”