Africell Sierra Leone on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, launched Kidzonet Service, a SIM-based child online protection service designed to help children access the internet safely while limiting exposure to harmful and age-inappropriate content. The service was unveiled at the Africell E-Learning Center on Wilkinson Road in Freetown.
Kidzonet operates directly at the SIM level, requiring no applications or complex configurations. Parents and guardians can activate the service easily, ensuring protections are enforced across mobile data usage. Africell described Kidzonet as Africa’s first SIM-based child online protection service, aimed at embedding safety directly into 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 said Africell’s role goes 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 and inclusive, 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, Maama Seiwoh-Koroma, described the launch as a significant milestone in safeguarding children online. She said while the internet is vital for learning and communication, it also exposes children to risks such as harmful content, cyberbullying and online exploitation.
She said Kidzonet aligns with Sierra Leone’s legal framework under the National Communications Authority Act 2022 and the Cybercrime Act 2021. According to her, the service enforces safe search, restricts social media access, 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 a highly connected and AI-driven world. He said the Ministry has been advocating for stronger child online protection and sees Kidzonet as a practical step forward.
Bindi called on parents and guardians to actively supervise children’s online activities, warning that inappropriate content can quickly become harmful. He assured that the Ministry will 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 said the SIM-based filtering is critical because 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.
Kidzonet can be activated by dialing *499#, pressing 8 and following the instructions for a fee of Le9, payable through 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.
