Afrimoney and Ecobank Sierra Leone have launched a strategic partnership that enables customers to make payments directly from their Afrimoney mobile wallets on Ecobank Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals.
The historic initiative was officially unveiled at Ecobank’s Head Office in Freetown.
This innovation marks the first time in Sierra Leone that mobile money users can make direct payments on POS devices an advancement expected to greatly enhance digital financial accessibility for both consumers and merchants nationwide.
Kate Thompson, Head of Consumer Banking at Ecobank Sierra Leone, described the partnership as a “significant milestone” in connecting banking and mobile money ecosystems.
She explained that while only about 29% of Sierra Leoneans have bank accounts, around 30% use mobile money wallets two customer bases that are now linked through this collaboration. “Before this innovation, only cardholders could use POS machines. Now, Afrimoney wallet holders can make payments instantly and securely on Ecobank POS devices, without needing a bank account,” Thompson stated. She added that the initiative simplifies everyday transactions from school fees to market purchases empowering merchants and customers alike.
Calling the development “financial inclusion in its purest form,” Thompson noted that the new service will help bridge the gap between the formal banking sector and mobile money users, making digital transactions more convenient and accessible.
Afrimoney CEO, Martison Obeng-Agyei, praised the collaboration as a “forward-looking example of technology serving the public,” highlighting that it is the first of its kind in Sierra Leone’s financial landscape. He revealed that the next phase of the partnership will extend the service to Ecobank ATMs, allowing customers to withdraw cash directly from their Afrimoney wallets.
“This initiative simplifies payments, ensures instant settlements, and enhances business efficiency,” Obeng-Agyei said. “Once a payment is made on an Ecobank POS, the funds are instantly available in the merchant’s bank account eliminating the hassle of cashing out or re-depositing money.” He added that the system was developed with long-term reliability and quality in mind, signaling more innovations ahead in 2026.
Ecobank Sierra Leone Managing Director, Sebastian Ashong Katai, described the partnership as a deliberate strategy rooted in collaboration rather than competition. He said Afrimoney’s robust technology and extensive subscriber base made it an ideal partner for achieving shared financial inclusion goals. “Convenience and accessibility are the true measures of banking success,” Katai noted. “Money alone doesn’t create access unless people have the freedom to use it. By enabling mobile wallet payments on POS devices, we’re expanding that freedom and empowering Sierra Leoneans to transact anywhere.”
He further linked the initiative to the Bank of Sierra Leone’s National Payment Switch, emphasizing that progress in the financial sector depends on collaboration and interoperability among players.
The Afrimoney Ecobank partnership stands as a major step toward bridging traditional banking and mobile money ecosystems. It offers Sierra Leoneans a secure, convenient, and inclusive way to conduct transactions supporting the Central Bank’s vision of a digitally connected and financially empowered nation.
With this launch, customers can now use their Afrimoney wallets across Ecobank’s nationwide POS network ushering in a new era of digital convenience and financial empowerment for businesses and consumers across Sierra Leone.
