Mobile operator Africell Sierra Leone says its subscriber base has topped 2.25 million active subscribers.

Africell says it is Sierra Leone’s biggest mobile operator with a 65% market share.

The company has further said in a statement that is forecasted to cross the 3 million active subscribers by the end of 2014.

According to BuddeComm research, Sierra Leone -- which has a population of just under 6 million -- has a mobile penetration rate of 38%.

“Following more than a decade of civil war, Sierra Leone has since 2002 enjoyed stability and rapid economic growth,” says BuddeComm on its website.

“The country’s traditional telecommunications infrastructure has suffered damage and neglect, but the mobile sector has experienced excellent growth with competition between five GSM networks. Some consolidation has taken place when one network ceased operations and the market’s number two acquired the number four.

“Additional mobile licences have been issued but not all operators have launched services,” adds the research company.

Meanwhile, Africell says its entire African group operations is expected to hit 11 million by the end of 2014.

Africell also has operations in Gambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The group ended 2013 with over 7 million active subscribers.