RCBank Nominated to Promote Usage And Adoption of New Innovative Pan African Payment Systems


A Rokel Commercial Bank delegation including the Board of Directors Chairman, Buffy Bailor, Managing Director Dr Walton Gilpin and top IT staff are in Cape Town, South Africa to attend a high-level meeting on the adoption and use of the innovative Pan African Payment System (PAPPS) by banks around the continent.

Pioneered by the Afreximbank, the PAPPS will create a flawless and highly effective international payment system that will invariably support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AcFTA) established in 2018 and signed by 43 African countries including Sierra Leone.

The new cross-border payment also seeks to operationalize a 2019 resolution by African heads of state that the PAPPS should become the main infrastructure for payments and settlements within the African financial markets.

Therefore, working with local banks like the RCbank to popularize and promote the adoption and utilization of the payment system tool has been deemed to be a critical component of its growth and success. A high point of the event was when heads from some of the partnering banks, including the Rokel Commercial Bank shared their experiences on the use of the PAPPS.

At the end of a highly interactive event, RCBank was among the financial institutions nominated as member of the Working Group of the PAPPS network/club to promote the adoption and usage of the payment platform.






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Bank of Sierra Leone Launches Innovative Agricultural Credit Scheme


Dr. Ibrahim Stevens, the Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, has introduced an innovative Agricultural Credit Scheme. This program aims to extend vital financial assistance to credible entrepreneurs within the agricultural sector, facilitating their efforts to expand production and bolster economic progress.

Through the Agricultural Credit Scheme, eligible entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to secure loans of up to $100,000, a substantial sum capable of fostering significant growth and innovation within the agricultural domain. One distinguishing feature of this scheme is its remarkably low-interest rate of 10%, contrasting sharply with the historically burdensome rates that have hindered agribusiness growth in the region, often surpassing 30%.

The decision to launch this proactive initiative underscores the Bank of Sierra Leone’s dedication to nurturing an enabling environment for agricultural advancement and economic diversification. By providing accessible credit to entrepreneurs with viable agricultural enterprises, the scheme aims to tackle persistent financing barriers that have stifled the sector’s potential.

Dr. Ibrahim Stevens, in elucidating the rationale behind the Agricultural Credit Scheme, emphasized agriculture’s pivotal role in propelling socio-economic advancement and alleviating poverty in Sierra Leone. He highlighted the necessity for innovative financial tools tailored to the unique requirements of agribusinesses, acknowledging their capacity to foster employment, enhance food security, and invigorate rural development.

The unveiling of the Agricultural Credit Scheme has been met with enthusiasm from diverse stakeholders, including farmers, agribusiness proprietors, and policymakers. Many perceive this initiative as a transformative endeavor capable of unlocking Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector’s untapped potential, positioning it as a primary catalyst for sustainable economic growth and prosperity.

As the scheme is implemented, focus will shift towards evaluating its execution and influence, with stakeholders eagerly anticipating the transformative impacts it is poised to deliver across Sierra Leone’s agricultural landscape.




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Sierra Leonean Digital Osusu App, MiKashBoks Introduces Innovative Personal Savings Feature


MiKashBoks, the pioneering “Osusu Na Yu Phone” fintech app founded by Sierra Leonean tech entrepreneur Salton Massally, proudly announces the launch of its personal savings feature, now available to customers in Sierra Leone.

Expanding its commitment to financial empowerment, MiKashBoks enables users to effortlessly transfer funds from their mobile money to their Personal “Mi Cashbox” wallets. This new feature allows users to grow their savings and earn interest securely, enhancing their financial stability and independence.

Key Benefits of Individual Savings Feature:

1. Secure Growth: Safely increase savings with a dedicated “Mi Cashbox” wallet.
2. Set goals and track your progress
3. Earn Interest: Benefit from earning interest on saved funds, contributing to financial growth.
4. Ease of Use: Transfer funds seamlessly from your mobile money to your Individual “Mi Cashbox” accounts.
5. Access to your money when you need it – no need to queue in a bank!

Since its August 2023 inception, MiKashBoks has grown rapidly, adding 1500 customers in its first 90 days.

MiKashBoks recently obtained its financial services licence from the Bank of Sierra Leone and has also stated its commitment to supporting financial literacy in the country.

“The introduction of ‘Mi Cashbox’ for personal savings is a game-changer in our mission to enhance financial empowerment in Sierra Leone. This feature allows our users to grow their savings securely and offers the added benefit of earning interest, contributing to their financial wellness. We remain committed to innovating in ways that support and expand financial inclusion, providing our users with robust tools to build their financial futures.” – Salton Massally, Founder, MiKashBoks

For Sierra Leone residents, you can Download MiKashBoks on the Google Play Store. For non-smartphone users, save and receive payouts using the SMS/USSD shortcode *352#.




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