/ By admin / Blog/ • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

A Revolutionary Super-App for Everyday Convenience


Orange Sierra Leone has unveiled Max it, a groundbreaking super-app designed to simplify daily life by integrating telecom, financial services, and e-commerce in one platform. Accessible to all, regardless of their mobile operator, Max it uses Orange Money as a payment base making it an inclusive tool for diverse users.

Following the success of its My Orange and Orange Money apps, which serve over 22 million daily users, Orange has developed Max it to meet the evolving needs of customers in Africa and the Middle East. The app provides a seamless interface for managing mobile or fixed lines, conducting financial transactions such as money transfers and savings, and accessing marketplace services like online shopping, digital entertainment, and ticketing for events or transportation.

Developed by Orange teams in Africa, Max it is tailored to the region’s unique needs and is initially available in 13 countries: Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Botswana etc. Plans are underway to expand to 17 more countries across Africa and the Middle East. Orange predicts that Max it will reach 45 million active users by 2025, with smartphone penetration in the region projected to hit 61% within the same time frame.



Designed to be user-friendly and available in multiple languages, Max it incorporates local features to ensure broader accessibility. This aligns with Orange’s vision of fostering inclusion and promoting digital adoption across the continent.

The app will be continuously updated with additional features and services, leveraging local and international partnerships to enhance its offerings.

Speaking about the launch, Christel Heydemann, CEO of Orange, said: “Max it embodies Orange’s innovative spirit in Africa and the Middle East. By integrating diverse services, we reinforce our role as a multi-service operator and demonstrate our commitment to delivering the best of digital technology to our customers.”

Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Africa and the Middle East, added: “Through collaboration with stakeholders, Max it offers an efficient and inclusive platform for managing phone plans, finances, and purchases. This is a significant step toward driving digital transformation and fostering opportunities for growth on the continent.”

Orange’s Max it sets a new benchmark for super-apps in Africa and the Middle East, offering a dynamic solution that bridges the gap between connectivity and daily needs while contributing to the region’s digital evolution.



Source link

/ By admin / Blog/ • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

Rokel Commercial Bank Launches Partnership with Vult by Metro Cable to Revolutionize Financial Inclusion in Sierra Leone


On Monday, December 9, 2024, Rokel Commercial Bank officially launched its partnership with Vult by Metro Cable, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transforming financial inclusion in Sierra Leone.

The ceremony, attended by senior management teams from Rokel Commercial Bank and Vult, marked a significant step in advancing digital banking solutions and expanding access to financial services across the country.



 

Providing insight into Vult’s operations and its role in promoting digital financial inclusion, Abdul Salam Kallon, Head of Compliance at Vult, explained that the Metro e-wallet is a payment platform under the Bank of Sierra Leone’s Sandbox Program. He noted that the initiative integrates Vult with digital wallets, offering users access to wallet services, cards, and payment systems for various needs.

He highlighted that the Vult app is available for download on Google Play Store, allowing users to sign up easily using their phone numbers and email addresses. “Since it operates online, the platform is equipped with strict security features to ensure user safety,” he said.

Kallon emphasized the platform’s versatility, stating that Vult enables users to receive money locally and internationally, conduct cross-border transactions, and make payments for goods across international borders. “It functions much like opening a bank account, and our cards can be used at Rokel Commercial Bank ATMs and POS machines both within and outside Sierra Leone,” he explained.

He concluded by reiterating that the primary goal of the partnership with Rokel Commercial Bank is to enhance financial inclusion and make digital financial services more accessible.

Vult’s Chief Operating Officer, Pierre Johnson, provided updates on the platform’s progress and achievements. He noted that within just six months of operation, the app has been downloaded by 200,000 users, with 13,000 active accounts and 2,500 cards issued.

Johnson also mentioned the establishment of over 30 merchant locations in Freetown, Bo, and Makeni, reflecting the platform’s growing reach. Additionally, he disclosed a partnership with Mastercard and Money-Me to facilitate seamless transfers to mobile money accounts.

Dr. Walton Gilpin, Managing Director and CEO of Rokel Commercial Bank, highlighted the transformative impact of the partnership in advancing digital banking and financial inclusion.

“We have been working on this initiative for some time, and our partnership with Vult has significantly widened our reach and improved financial accessibility,” he said. Dr. Gilpin added that digital banking has enhanced transaction speed and efficiency, while also supporting macroeconomic growth.

He noted that the platform allows users to access quality materials and services digitally, contributing to greater convenience. “This partnership expands product possibilities, and our goal is to position Sierra Leone as a hub for excellent digital banking services,” Dr. Gilpin emphasized.

David Pakima, Founder and CEO of Vult, expressed gratitude to Rokel Commercial Bank’s management, particularly Dr. Gilpin, for supporting the initiative from its inception.

Pakima explained that Vult originated from the success of their metro cable project, which made Freetown one of the most connected cities in Africa. “We realized that many users lacked access to premium versions of various platforms, and this inspired us to develop Vult to empower communities and enhance their digital experiences,” he said.

He described Rokel as the ideal partner, noting that their shared vision has driven the initiative forward. “Rokel brings the right appetite, and Vult contributes the intensity to make this partnership successful,” Pakima remarked.

He revealed that Vult has been the most downloaded app in the region on Google Play for the past three months and announced plans to expand into three new markets next year. “This partnership will enable thousands of unbanked Vult users to open accounts with Rokel Commercial Bank,” he added.

Pakima concluded by thanking the teams at Rokel and Vult for their collective efforts in ensuring the initiative’s success. “Together, we are providing seamless access to digital financial inclusion,” he said.



Source link

/ By admin / Blog/ • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

Orange SL Concludes Regional Stakeholders Engagement Tour Across the Eastern, Southern and Northern Regions of Sierra Leone


The Chief Commercial Officer, Haffie Haffner and CEO of Orange Money David Mansaray, embarked on a four-day commercial tour covering Bo, Makeni, Kenema, Kabala, Kambia and Kono.

The aim of the tour was to strengthen stakeholder and customer relations through an open dialogue and to provide an opportunity to engage local stakeholders on Orange’s network modernization project.

The engagement commenced in Kono District, Eastern Region, with a courtesy visit to PC Tamba Amadu, the Town Chief of Koeyo Section.



Chief Amadu expressed gratitude for the visit and stated that the visit marks a significant moment on the journey towards Network development for his community.

The Chief commercial Officer, Haffie Haffner, stated that “Orange is committed to listen and address the needs of its customers and will ensure network availability for the People of Kono”.

In Makeni and Kabala Northern Region, Makeni’s Section Chief of Talent Town, Chief John Turay, welcomed the Orange delegation while urging the company to enhance communication on network-related issues. He acknowledged recent improvements in the network despite months of challenges and expressed hope for sustained progress.

In Kambia District, the Orange delegation met with Paramount Chief Bai Farama Tass N’gbak (IV), the town chief, and the District Council Chairman. The CEO of Orange Money, David S Mansaray stated the primary goal of the engagements was to get firsthand insights on Orange network performance and to understand how Orange can better serve the people of Kambia.

This tour represents Orange’s dedication towards strengthening stakeholder relations to address concerns of our customers and an opportunity for the company to connect with local communities.

The company has invested significantly in its network infrastructure to ensure network reliability while boosting mobile and data penetration across the
Country.

Orange reassures its customers of its unwavering commitment to
deliver quality network services that meet the needs of its customers.



Source link

/ By admin / Blog/ • • • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

Westwind Energy Recognised for Leadership in Clean Cooking at ECOWAS Forum


Westwind Energy, the manufacturer of Wonder StovesTM, has been awarded the Energy Efficiency Project, Clean Cooking Building and Industry of the Year at the 9th ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum (ESEF) organised by the Ecowas Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE).

This award is a celebration of the transformative impact of their Institutional Stove, part of the Wonder StovesTM product line, which achieves 41.7% thermal efficiency, is rated Tier 4, reduces wood consumption by 60% and smoke emissions by 90%.

Adopted by over 60 schools in Sierra Leone and Guinea, the stove has improved cooking conditions for more than 35,000 beneficiaries, delivering significant health, environmental, and cost-saving benefits.



“We are honoured to receive this award,” said Hannah Max-Macarthy, Managing Director of Westwind Energy. “It represents the commitment and hard work of our team and the support of our partners, including ECREEE, GIZ, EnDev, World Food Programme, Burn Design Lab, Plan International, and the Government of Sierra Leone. We remain committed to delivering solutions that improve health, promote sustainability, and support national development.’’

The ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum celebrates organisations that push the boundaries of innovation to solve regional energy challenges, says Mr Hyacinth Elayo, an ECREEE official. He added: “Westwind Energy’s Institutional Stove sets an example for the transformative power of energy-efficient technologies. Its contributions to health, environmental conservation, and economic empowerment are exemplary for the region.”

With over 33 years of experience, Westwind Energy, through its Wonder StovesTM brand, offers biomass and LPG stoves for households, commercial, and institutional use, designed to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.

The company is also developing new models powered by renewable fuels to expand clean cooking solutions across West Africa.



Source link