Government officials and financial industry leaders gathered in Freetown on Monday to launch the new Afrimoney Prepaid Visa Card, a mobile money-integrated solution designed to expand digital financial access across the country.
The product, introduced by Africell Sierra Leone in collaboration with Ecobank and Visa, enables users to conduct both domestic and international digital transactions directly through their Afrimoney wallets without necessarily holding a traditional bank account.
Officials say the initiative aims to address persistent disparities in financial access that affect millions of Sierra Leoneans, particularly those in rural areas.
Chief Minister Dr. Moinina David Sengeh, who officially launched the card, described the development as a step toward “techquity” – using technology to drive fairness and inclusion.
“What does this mean to you, me and your grandfather?” Sengeh asked. “The market woman in Kabala can now use her bank card to order for goods directly in China from her mobile money wallet. This affects prices of goods in the market.”
According to officials, the prepaid Visa card will allow Afrimoney users to conduct online payments, international purchases, and other digital transactions. Financial analysts say the development could particularly benefit:
- Small-scale traders who can now order goods internationally
- Kekeh riders who can build credit history through “Trust Fuel” solutions and card transactions to access loans
- Retired citizens who can receive NACSA support directly through mobile money wallets and pay for family expenses such as college fees
- Students and families in remote areas who previously faced barriers accessing international payment systems
Sengeh credited the achievement to government policies that created room for innovation, noting that the Bank of Sierra Leone established a regulatory sandbox for real-time testing of financial technology products in live operating environments. He also acknowledged the role of the National Telecommunications and Communications Authority (NaTCA) and the Ministry of Communication in setting policies to enable digital services.
“Listen – this is transformation in the lives of citizens and of our economy,” Sengeh said. “It didn’t happen by itself. It happened because government created an enabling environment.”
The Chief Minister highlighted that financial inclusion in Sierra Leone has nearly doubled, rising from 18 percent in 2018 to nearly 40 percent in 2025. He also noted that over one million transactions have been processed on the Instant Payment Switch.
“Together #WeAreDelivering a more just society and technology is driving equity,” Sengeh said.
Users can obtain the Afrimoney Prepaid Visa Card by dialing 1615*4#. The card is powered by Ecobank and accepted at Visa payment points globally.
