The government of Sierra Leone has directed mining company Sierra Rutile to restart mining operations in Area 1 by the end of May. This directive comes after Sierra Rutile suspended activities in January due to a dispute over taxes.
The government views the suspension as a violation of the Mines and Minerals Development Act and has given the company until May 31st to comply. Sierra Rutile, however, disagrees with this stance and is currently evaluating its options in response to the government’s order.
The disagreement stems from ongoing negotiations regarding a new tax regime for Area 1. In May 2023, both parties began discussions for a “third amendment agreement” that would define the fiscal terms. However, negotiations stalled in January when the government decided to abandon the proposed agreement, reverting Sierra Rutile to the tax regime established in 2001.
The mining company argues that the older tax structure makes continued operations in Area 1 economically unsustainable. It remains to be seen whether Sierra Rutile will comply with the government’s order or take further action to defend its position.
Orange Sierra Leone Digital Center is launching a free high-level certification training program in partnership with Coursera, the world leader in online learning.
This partnership aims to offer young people in Africa and the Middle East the opportunity to acquire essential skills in digital professions, free of charge and at their own pace.
The Orange Digital Center (ODC) network is driving digital inclusion for young people and entrepreneurs across Africa and the Middle East through its 16 centers. It is launching this initiative to provide young people in the region with key skills in essential areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship. These programs are designed to meet the needs of the ever-evolving job market, providing talented young people with the knowledge and skills they need to enter the job market, develop their careers, or encourage them to become digital entrepreneurs.
Orange Digital Centers are physical structures designed to be hubs of innovation and learning, free and open to all, providing a dynamic environment where young people can develop their skills, explore new technologies, and stimulate their creativity.
Equipped with the latest technologies, they support young people throughout the entire technological innovation and entrepreneurship value chain. This innovation ecosystem consists of several spaces that offer free learning programs: a Code School, a Solidarity FabLab, an ‘Orange Fab’ startup accelerator, and Orange Ventures Middle East and Africa, the Orange Group’s investment fund that invests in the most promising startups.
Asma Ennaifer, Executive Director CSR, Orange Digital Centers and Communication, Orange Africa and Middle East, says: “At Orange, we firmly believe that digital inclusion is the key to creating a fairer and more prosperous future for everyone. In partnership with Coursera and through the Orange Digital Centers, we are opening the doors of certification training to all our beneficiaries, offering educational and professional development opportunities to those who need them most. ”
You’ll find all the Orange SL Digital Center training courses on the Coursera platform here https://www.coursera.org/
Press Contacts:
Orange Sierra Leone: Mabel Mason, [email protected], + 232 76 450 189 Orange Middle East and Africa: Anita Oyono, [email protected], +33 6 75 02 03 79
Commemorating SLONEC’s First Year Anniversary, RCBank Top Management has participated in SLONEC Business Seminar on Tuesday 30th April, 2024 at the Freetown City Council.
SLONEC is an accountancy and consultancy firm that specializes and provides a wide range of accountancy and consultancy services to individuals, businesses, and organisations within Sierra Leone and beyond.
Dr. Walton E. Gilpin Managing Director of RCBank served as the Guest Speaker for the Buisness Seminar with the theme let’s celebrate and Excel in Business. Dr, Gilpin presented along side with the founder and CEO of SLONEC Mr. Ishmail Bangura, Manager and Tax guru at NRA Matilda Z. Kamara and Dr. Alpha Grace (Founder & CEO of CHANGEYOURSELF).
The Managing Director of RCBank Staged a PowerPoint Presentation on Navigating Loan Financing for SME’s and Avoiding Business Failures. Under key topics like National Public Debt Securities cycle, The Lending cycle and Access to Finance, Loan Cycle, Loan recall, Loan maturity, Cancellations and Restructuring, his presentation objectives focused on understanding the basic debt terminology in the loan cycle, Relationship between stages in the loan cycle and data requirement which could help reduce incidence of delinquency.
Speaking on the issue of granting loans, Dr. Gilpin states”debt collection is in trouble- especially when it comes to the delinquent credit. According to figures from the International Monetary’s fund‘s Global Financial Stability Report non-performing loans make up 3.925% of total gross global loans,”
Mr. Adikalie S. Kamara, Head of Operations at RCBank pointed out that the essence of the Banking system is to bring safety and soundness of the financial sector adding that there is low public understanding about loan initiation and the importance of the financial sector. He pointed out that there is a stand out guidelines by the Central Bank not to have more than 10% of loans in nonperforming category as it would be described as a delinquent loans, He applauded SLONEC as a new Financial Company set up by Sierra Leoneans to come together to contribute to enhance the financial sector.
Mr. Ishmael Bangura, CEO of SLONEC thanked the Management and Staff of RCBank for gracing the occasion. He reflected that while growing up he realized that he has to make a change and contribution to society.
He reflected on his experience in the United Kingdom and commented on what countries of the Western World are doing positively and differently. He revealed, he discovered one of the reasons why the Western Countries are far ahead of us it’s because they value the things we take for granted He cited that one of the things that sometimes people take for granted back home is integrity, which he intends to bring and to uphold it as a core value in the financial sector.
Head of Public Relations, RCBank Mr. Aruna Dumbuya pointed out in his Public Lecture that Integrity, Objectivity, sustainability, professional competence, sincerity and probity are all core values that enhance the banking sector to thrive. He acknowledges the need for people in the financial Sector to imbibe all these qualities because the absent of some of these ethical conducts then we would not have people who will manage the finances of this country.
He emphasiszed on the need for customers that will enhance the availability and procedures of securing a loan adding that the Bank Prioritizes financial literacy in a bid to enhance customers Protection. He affirmed that over the years, the leadership of RCBank have been doing public Lectures at Universities and in Public Places both national and International, which is a core value of the Sierra Leone National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI 2022-2026).
He added that as a bank, they have seen how climate Change and environmental issues are impacting the world adversely, and it is so important that the country embraces urgent actions for positive climate change.
Mr. Dumbuya expressed thanks and appreciation to the SLONEC Management for the Invitation and assured the Bank’s unwavering commitment to respond to their call and to other institutions that will contribute positively to the Development of Sierra Leone.
