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Africell Drives Digital Inclusion at 2025 Sierra Leone Innovates Summit


Africell Sierra Leone has once again positioned itself at the forefront of the nation’s digital revolution, playing a leading role in the 2025 Sierra Leone Innovates Digital Government Summit held in Freetown.

Organized by the Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation (MoCTI), the high-level summit brought together government officials, private sector stakeholders, youth innovators, and international partners to explore pathways for a smarter, more inclusive digital future.

Africell, one of the summit’s main sponsors, was not just a financial partner but an active contributor to its vision and success. The company’s Chief Operating Officer, Malek El Koussa, praised the event’s organization and the government’s commitment to pushing the digital agenda.



“This year’s summit has truly raised the bar,” El Koussa stated. “We are proud to be a part of this moment where the President’s directives have clearly defined the digital vision of Sierra Leone. It’s now our shared responsibility both public institutions and private enterprises to align with that vision and deliver innovation that touches real lives.”

At its vibrant exhibition booth, Africell showcased a suite of advanced technologies, many of which are aimed at bridging the digital divide across Sierra Leone. Among the highlights was the introduction of AI EVA, a voice-powered artificial intelligence service capable of responding to verbal queries in local languages ideal for users without smartphones or internet access. Tailored for farmers, traders, students, and underserved populations, AI EVA supports digital inclusion in rural and low-literacy communities.

Africell also exhibit its AfriGBT, a localized version of the popular ChatGPT model, adapted to work offline and on basic devices. Both tools are designed to democratize access to knowledge and education through artificial intelligence.

“We believe that the future belongs to the youth and to the dreamers,” El Koussa added. “Platforms like this summit give them the opportunity to see how technology can truly shape their destiny.”

Beyond AI, Africell spotlighted its technological infrastructure, including 5G routers, Samsung smart devices, and its increasingly popular Star Fiber home internet bundles. The company is also the authorized distributor for Samsung in Sierra Leone, making high-quality devices more accessible to Sierra Leoneans.

In the financial sector, Africell demonstrated the capabilities of its Afrimoney platform, now offering seamless international remittance services. With digital finance becoming an integral part of daily life, Africell is expanding services to remote and unbanked communities, strengthening its position as a leader in financial technology.

In a strong message to Sierra Leone’s youth and broader public, El Koussa emphasized the urgency of adapting to technological change.

“Change is inevitable. We once moved from analog phones to smartphones now we are moving from manual to digital systems,” he said. “If you resist technology, it will leave you behind. If you embrace it, it will uplift you.”

The summit highlighted the vital role that private sector companies like Africell play in achieving the government’s national digital transformation goals. With President Julius Maada Bio’s administration pushing for innovation-driven governance, Africell’s contributions reaffirm its position as not just a telecom provider but a true partner in progress.



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Interswitch Sets a New Pulse in West African Finance


In the rhythm of Sierra Leone’s evolving financial system, a new beat is beginning to emerge; steady, deliberate, and increasingly digital. That rhythm will quicken this week as Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, convenes key stakeholders in New Brookfields Hotel, Jomo Kenyatta Road, Freetown for the second edition of its Fintech Forum, themed “Access, Inclusion and Growth – Deepening Digital Payments in Sierra Leone.”

Set to take place on June 5, 2025, the event will bring together a cross section of the country’s financial services ecosystem including banks, fintech startups, regulators, microfinance institutions, mobile money operators, and members of the media, for a conversation that transcends product launches and panel discussions. It aims to spark collective action toward a more financially inclusive Sierra Leone.

At the heart of this gathering lies a shared imperative — to foster a more inclusive economy by expanding formal financial access to a broader segment of Sierra Leone’s population. While meaningful progress is underway, many still navigate daily life without reliable access to financial services. Access remains uneven, infrastructure is still evolving, and in many rural communities, cash continues to dominate everyday transactions. Bridging this gap requires collaborative effort, and that’s precisely what this forum seeks to advance.



Events like the Interswitch Fintech Forum matter because they bring together those actively working to solve these challenges. More than just a platform for discussion, the forum will serve as a catalyst for meaningful action and tangible progress.

Interswitch’s entry into the Sierra Leonean market is timely. With over two decades of experience driving Africa’s digital payments evolution, the company’s expansion signals a broader shift in how regional players are approaching scale, access, and long-term presence. While mobile wallets and digital platforms continue to proliferate across the continent, the real challenge lies in ensuring these tools are not only available but usable, trusted, and accessible, particularly in underserved communities where traditional banking infrastructure is limited or non-existent.

A key highlight of the event will be a live demonstration of Interswitch’s Card Issuance Solution and the Agency Banking solution. For those unfamiliar with the model, agency banking essentially brings banking closer to the people through local agents equipped with tech-enabled tools. These agents enable customers to carry out essential financial services such as withdrawals, deposits, bill payments, and transfers, without having to travel long distances to a physical bank branch. In markets where agency banking has gained traction, it has helped in demystifying financial systems, offering human touchpoints that ease the transition into formal digital finance.

Technology is not the only reason this forum stands out; equally significant is the regulatory environment in which it is unfolding. The Bank of Sierra Leone has articulated a clear vision, one that recognises digital financial services as essential to the country’s economic resilience. In expressing its willingness to collaborate with credible private-sector stakeholders, the Central Bank is not only opening the door to innovation but also emphasising the importance of stability and accountability. This clarity provides fintech players with the confidence to explore new solutions, while setting a high standard for sustainable, responsible growth.

As Sierra Leone advances its digital financial agenda, the upcoming Interswitch Fintech Forum highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration in driving sustainable impact. For Interswitch, the event signals more than market penetration and expansion, it affirms a strategic commitment to supporting the country’s financial transformation journey. By bringing together key players across the ecosystem, the forum is poised to set the stage for long-term partnerships, scalable innovation, and inclusive growth, all critical pillars for building a resilient, future-ready financial landscape.



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Orange SL Officially Launches Groundbreaking Employee Shareholder Program to Empower Workforce


In a landmark development that underscores its commitment to empowering its workforce and building long-term sustainability, Orange Sierra Leone has officially announced the launch of an Employee Shareholder Program, giving staff the opportunity to become part-owners of the company.

The initiative was unveiled during a high-level Town Hall Meeting at the company’s Hill Station headquarters on Monday, 26th May 2025, as part of a three-day working visit by Elisabeth Medou Badang, Chief Human Resource Officer for Orange Middle East and Africa (MEA).

The announcement marks a transformative shift in the company’s corporate strategy aligning employee contributions with ownership and providing a new framework for inclusive growth and engagement.



Agnes Songa, Human Resources Director of Orange Sierra Leone, welcomed the MEA HR Chief and described her presence as a profound demonstration of the Orange Group’s values of care, responsibility, and bold leadership. She emphasized that while Sierra Leone is a small affiliate in terms of size, its performance, staff engagement, and impact within the Orange network remain highly significant.

“We may be small in size, but we are strong in voice and performance,” said Songa. “We’re a top-performing affiliate and this visit is a testimony to that. Our CEO, Sekou Amadou Bah, has created an environment where staffs thrive, and this new shareholder initiative takes it a step further.”

CEO Sekou Amadou Bah used the occasion to officially launch the Employee Shareholder Program, describing it as a historic milestone in the company’s journey. He acknowledged the critical role of Elisabeth Medou Badang in guiding the vision and execution of the program.

“This program reflects our strong belief that employees are at the heart of our success,” said Bah. “With this initiative, we are not only recognizing your hard work we are inviting you to share in the company’s future prosperity as shareholders.”

He explained that the initiative allows employees to acquire shares in Orange Sierra Leone, aligning their personal success with that of the company. The move is expected to boost employee morale, drive accountability, and deepen staff loyalty.

In her keynote address, Elisabeth Medou Badang hailed the program as a “bold and visionary step,” reinforcing Orange Sierra Leone’s role as a pacesetter in the MEA region. She congratulated the team for their exceptional performance in employee engagement, innovation, and financial growth.

“I’m incredibly proud of what you have achieved in Sierra Leone,” she said. “You consistently rank at the top in engagement and satisfaction across the MEA region, and now you are leading again with this employee ownership program. This is your company. As Orange grows, so will your wealth not just through salaries, but through dividends and shared success.”

She described the launch of the Employee Shareholding Program as a symbol of trust, empowering staff to become co-creators of value in a company that belongs to them not just in spirit, but now in tangible ownership.

Medou Badang also took time to commend the warm hospitality of Sierra Leoneans, sharing how the country left a remarkable impression on her from the moment she arrived. She encouraged staff to maintain the culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration that has made Orange Sierra Leone a model affiliate.

“This is your company, your home, and your legacy,” she said. “Continue to build it with pride, commitment, and unity. The sky is not the limit the sky is your next starting point.”

The launch of the Employee Shareholder Program is expected to inspire similar models across the Orange Group’s operations in Africa and the Middle East, signaling a new chapter in employee-centered corporate leadership.



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