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Sierra Leonean Entrepreneurs to Benefit From $50 Million Loan


Young entrepreneurs, and female-led firms in Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Gambia have been announced as the prospective beneficiaries of a US$50 million loan guarantee by the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) to Vista Group Holding.

Under the terms of the agreement, AGF will offer a guarantee of $50 million to Vista Group Holding, enabling Vista to extend loans to SMEs in the four West African countries where it operates. The primary targets for these loans include businesses in the green economy, young entrepreneurs, and SMEs led by women.

Yao Kouassi, Managing Director of Vista Group Holding, expressed the significance of the partnership with AGF in their mission to empower SMEs and contribute to financial inclusion across West Africa. He emphasized that this facility would expand their reach and provide crucial financial support to businesses driving economic development in the region.



Particularly noteworthy is the commitment to supporting SMEs founded and led by women, with 20% of the total guaranteed amount allocated to them. The Afawa program will also provide technical assistance to these women-led SMEs, enhancing their access to financing.

Through the risk-sharing mechanism facilitated by AGF, Vista Group can strengthen the financial stability of its four African subsidiaries by mitigating risks associated with SMEs in its loan portfolio. This collaboration aims to unlock the immense potential of SMEs in the region and drive inclusive economic growth through increased access to financing.

Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of AGF, expressed excitement about partnering with Vista Group, a leading player in the West African banking landscape. The collaboration combines expertise and resources to empower SMEs in the region and foster inclusive economic growth.



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The Fresh Produce Shop Nurturing Women in Agriculture Across Sierra Leone


Nyanda Local Market, a bustling enterprise in the heart of Freetown, is more than just a place to buy fresh produce. It’s a testament to the power of women’s empowerment and agricultural innovation, driven by the vision of Madam Bintu Gbaio and her organization, Women in Agriculture and Development Sierra Leone (WIAD-SL).

Born from the desire to provide an outlet for WIAD-SL’s agricultural products and support other outgrowers, Nyanda has become a beacon of success.

Since its inception in 2018, Madam Bintu has partnered with women in Kailahun district, providing them with seeds, technical assistance, and tools, fostering a collaborative share-harvesting model.



Their efforts have yielded impressive results. WIAD-SL boasts a thriving seed bank and has produced over 1,000 50kg bags of rice, with ambitious plans for further growth. Beyond rice, they cultivate vast cassava plantations, processing the harvest into diverse products like Garri, fufu, and cassava flour, all available at Nyanda Local Market.

The impact extends far beyond economic empowerment. Recognizing the importance of education, WIAD-SL implemented adult literacy programs and even sponsored members to pursue primary and secondary education. One member is even preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, a remarkable achievement.

Nyanda Local Market serves as a sustainable platform for the women’s produce, ensuring fair compensation and inclusivity. It also caters to older women who may not be actively involved in farm work, offering opportunities for all age groups.

A beneficiary expressed gratitude for the initiative, highlighting the acquisition of valuable skills in crop cultivation, especially in growing vegetables that generate income.

Madam Bintu Gabio emphasized that Nyanda Local Market’s registration as an affiliate of WIAD-SL ensures sustainability. The market sells various products produced by the women, supporting those who may no longer engage actively in farm work due to age.

Madam Gabio appealed to the government and other organizations for support, acknowledging the contribution of a few agricultural processing machines provided by the World Bank and SCARDEP. She expressed a commitment to feeding Sierra Leone through their initiative if given the necessary support from the government.

The success of Nyanda Local Market serves as a testament to the transformative impact of empowering women in agriculture, not just economically but also through education and skill development.



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Orange Sierra Leone Becomes First Telecom Company to Acquire ISO 9001:2015 Certification


Orange Sierra Leone has achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first telecommunications company in the country to be certified with the international standard ISO 9001:2015 for quality management systems.

This prestigious recognition signifies Orange’s commitment to delivering exceptional service and continuous improvement, solidifying their position as a leader in the Sierra Leonean telecom industry.

The ISO 9001 standard sets a globally recognized benchmark for quality management systems, empowering organizations to enhance performance, meet stakeholder needs, and demonstrate unwavering dedication to quality. By adhering to its stringent requirements, Orange Sierra Leone has established and implemented robust processes for continual improvement across all aspects of their operations.



“Obtaining this certification from an accredited body instills even greater confidence and trust in our commitment to improving the lives of Sierra Leoneans,” said Sekou Amadou Bah, CEO of Orange Sierra Leone. “We strive to provide exceptional and responsible digital solutions aligned with international standards, and this certification underscores our dedication to constantly refining our performance and stakeholder satisfaction, particularly our valued customers.”

Rufina Adjivon Tucker, Project Lead and Program Director at Orange Sierra Leone, echoed this sentiment. “This certification serves as a powerful testament to our unwavering commitment to quality standards and our relentless pursuit of excellence,” she remarked.

Cheikh Diongue Mbaye, Chief Compliance Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, further emphasized the significance of this achievement. “This isn’t merely a test of our integrity; it’s an opportunity to showcase our dedication to upholding the highest standards through compliance with established international norms,” he stated.

By achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification, Orange Sierra Leone has demonstrably committed to exceeding stakeholder expectations, particularly their customers. This certification signifies their dedication to fostering a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring sound quality control processes, and ultimately building trust and satisfaction.

Orange Sierra Leone is a leading telecommunications operator in Sierra Leone, providing mobile and internet services to millions of customers. The company is committed to delivering innovative and reliable solutions that connect people and empower communities. Orange Sierra Leone is part of the Orange Group, a leading global telecommunications operator present in 25 countries across Africa and the Middle East.



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Step-by-Step Guide to Make Freetown Terminal Payments With GTBank Internet Banking


To enhance customer convenience and streamline payment processes, Guarantee Trust Bank Sierra Leone (GTBank SL) has introduced step-by-step instructions for making Freetown Terminal payments through their Internet banking platform.

To initiate the payment process, customers are instructed to visit the official website of GTBank Sierra Leone at https://www.gtb.sl. Once on the website, users are prompted to click on the prominent “Big Green Button” to authenticate their access.

Upon successful authentication, customers are required to enter their unique customer ID and password. After entering the credentials, clicking on the “Green Button” allows users to access the various functionalities available on the platform.



For Freetown Terminal payments specifically, users are guided to click on the “payment & collection” section and then choose the “Freetown Terminal” option. This directs them to a new interface where they are prompted to click on “Make New Payment.”

On the new payment screen, customers are prompted to input essential details for their transaction. This includes the Invoice Number and the Customer Code. Once these details are correctly filled, users are instructed to click the “continue Button” to proceed with the payment.

The final step involves clicking on the “Pay” button to validate the payment. This action confirms the transaction and ensures that the payment is successfully processed through the GTBank Internet banking platform.

GTBank’s initiative to provide step-by-step instructions for Freetown Terminal payments aims to simplify the user experience and facilitate efficient transactions. By offering a user friendly interface and clear guidelines, the bank aims to empower its customers to seamlessly navigate the online banking platform and carry out transactions with confidence.

This move aligns with the broader industry trend of financial institutions leveraging technology to provide secure and accessible banking services. GTBank continues to demonstrate its commitment to customer satisfaction and innovation by implementing features that enhance the overall banking experience for its clientele.

Customers are encouraged to follow these step-by-step instructions to experience a hassle-free process when making Freetown Terminal payments through GTBank’s Internet banking platform. As technology continues to play a pivotal role in the banking sector, GTBank remains at the forefront, adapting and evolving to meet the changing needs of its customers.



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Sierra Leone’s Cocoa Industry Ranks Third in Export Revenue


Cocoa has emerged as a major player in Sierra Leone’s economy, ranking third in export revenue generation, according to a recent government-private sector roundtable.

The event, held on January 18th, brought together key stakeholders to discuss the sustainable development and investment potential of the cocoa sector.

The roundtable, themed “Making Sierra Leone’s Cocoa Sector Investible and Sustainable,” highlighted the crucial role of collaboration in fostering policy changes, government partnerships, and unlocking the industry’s full potential.



The International Finance Corporation (IFC) estimates that cocoa generated over US$22 million in 2018, accounting for 11% of the nation’s total exports. However, a significant gap exists between current exports and the sector’s true potential, with an estimated US$30 million waiting to be tapped.

This promising outlook comes on the heels of the World Economic Forum’s 54th Annual Meeting, where the IFC emphasized the importance of transparency, consistency, and accountability in building trust and fostering investment. The meeting attracted over 100 representatives from various sectors, including governments, international organizations, and businesses.



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Bank of Sierra Leone Approves Mohamed Alhajie Samoura as Managing Director/CEO of UBA Sierra Leone


United Bank for Africa (UBA) Sierra Leone Limited is pleased to announce the approval of Mohamed Alhajie Samoura by the Central Bank of Sierra Leone as the substantive Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of UBA Sierra Leone.

The “No Objection” approval was received from the Bank of Sierra Leone on 30th January 2024 following the approval of his nomination by UBA Group Office and the UBA Sierra Leone Board of Directors in December 2023. Having served as the Acting MD/CEO since February last year, Mohamed is the first Sierra Leonean to attain such position in the bank since the bank started it operations in Sierra Leone in 2008.

Mr. Samoura is the 6th MD/CEO of UBA Sierra Leone after his predecessor, Usman Isiaka who is now serving the bank as Deputy MD/CEO of UBA New York.



Since he assumed the seat, Mr Samoura has continued to build on the legacies of his predecessors, he continues to double the figures in revenue, profitability, deposits, account opening and risk assets. He is very passionate about the UBA Brand and has been an exceptional promoter of Sierra Leonean businesses.

Until his appointment as the substantive Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer of UBA Sierra Leone, he was the Executive Director, Business Development in the bank, and Acting MD/CEO UBA Sierra Leone. Mohamed is a seasoned banker with close to two decades of working experience in Sierra Leone banking industry.

Mohamed has several accolades and most recently was named amongst the 100 Most Outstanding Executives in Sierra Leone by the Sierra Ovation Awards. During this short period and under his leadership, UBA Sierra Leone team won the 2023 prestigious Bank of the Year awards from the Banker’s Financial Times UK. Africa Branding Agency celebrating Banking Excellence in Sierra Leone/recognition of UBA Sierra Leone as Top 10 Financial Institutions & Mr. Samoura Top 5 Financial Leaders in Sierra Leone. African Ovation Awards for recognition of outstanding customer service, contribution, and commitment to social and economic development of Sierra Leone. A total of 10 Executive Management staff were awarded 2023 Sierra Leone Leadership Award honouring the Top 100 Emerging Leaders in Sierra Leone 2023. The Salone Times Newspaper one of the leading news agencies in Sierra Leone named him amongst the 10 Most Influential Sierra Leoneans in 2023. The bank also won Climate Positive Bank of the Year awards at the 7thEnvironmental Care Awards organised by Shout Climate Change Africa partnering with Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency and Freetown City Council and many more accolades on records.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Political Science and a master’s degree in business administration and marketing.

Mr Samoura has a wealth of experience and understanding of the country’s corporate and institutional banking landscape.

The appointment of Mr. Samoura as Managing Director is in line with the UBA Group’s strategic focus on domesticating the bank’s governance, products and services to meet the local requirements of the host economy in all its 20 presence countries in Africa and further supporting human capital development across the continent as we expose the local staff to international standards and global best practices.

Operating in twenty African countries and in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, United Bank for Africa provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology. UBA is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with over 30,000 employees group wide and serving over 37 million customers globally. UBA Sierra Leone currently has over 400,000 customers with the strong vision to be the undisputed leading and dominant financial services institution in the banking sector in Sierra Leone.



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