Chief Minister Dr. David Sengeh on Monday lauded the newly refurbished Government Printing Department, hailing it as a prime example of a successful Public Private Partnership (PPP).
The surprise visit was made alongside the Ministers of Information and Civic Education.
Taking to his X page (formerly Twitter), Dr. Sengeh highlighted the positive outcomes of the refurbishment, stating, “This is an excellent example of what a good Public Private Partnership can look like.” He further explained that the project followed a build, operate, and transfer model, which initially involved private sector participation but is now fully managed by the Government of Sierra Leone.
The renovation of the Government Printing Department is expected to enhance the quality and efficiency of official publications and document production in the country. The printing press, which had been in dire need of modernization, now boasts state-of-the-art equipment and is geared toward improving service delivery for public sector needs.
The visit underlines the government’s commitment to revitalizing critical infrastructure through innovative partnerships and investment in key sectors. The Chief Minister’s praise for the project reflects broader government efforts to strengthen the country’s administrative capacities while fostering economic collaboration with the private sector.
The refurbishment is expected to streamline operations at the printing press, which plays a vital role in producing government documents, official notices, and educational materials. By adopting the build, operate, and transfer model, the government successfully leveraged private sector expertise in the initial phases, ensuring the sustainability of the project.
This development is seen as a significant step toward achieving efficiency in public service delivery, with the facility now fully under government control.
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) Sierra Leone celebrated Customer Service Week from October 14th to 18th with a variety of activities designed to honor and appreciate its valued customers.
The week-long event showcased the bank’s commitment to providing exceptional service and building strong relationships within the community.
The celebration kicked off with a Career Day, where staff members dressed in attire representing various professions symbolizing the deep connection between the bank and its diverse clientele. On Tuesday, staff members wore the national Green White and Blue colors of Sierra Leone to express their patriotism and solidarity with the country.
The Product Showcase Day featured staff members dressed in T-shirts showcasing the bank’s innovative products and services, including 9737, GTWorld, Salary Loan, Mastercard, Smart Kids Save (SKS), and more. This event allowed customers to learn about the various banking solutions offered by GTBank and how they can benefit from them.
Thursday brought back the nostalgia of the 80s with staff members sporting iconic fashion trends of the era. This fun-filled event provided a lighthearted atmosphere and a chance for customers to reminisce about the past.
The week culminated with a Traditional Day, where staff members dressed in traditional attire to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Sierra Leone. This event highlighted the importance of preserving and promoting the country’s cultural diversity.
As a grand finale, GTBank held a Dip and Win draw where 30 customers won exciting prizes, including mugs and keyholders. This gesture was a token of appreciation for the bank’s customers and a way to show that their loyalty and support are valued.
Ade Adebiyi, the Managing Director of GTBank Sierra Leone, expressed his gratitude to the bank’s customers for their continued trust and support. “We take customer satisfaction as our No. 1 priority,” he said. “We continue to develop products and services that make banking convenient and enjoyable for our customers.”
The 2024 celebration of Customer Service Week demonstrates GTBank’s dedication to providing exceptional service and building lasting relationships with its customers.
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) Sierra Leone has presented prizes to 32 lucky winners in its ‘Kip for D Bambai’ reloaded promotion. The winners were selected through a raffle draw for August and September, and they received gift prizes including bags of rice and cooking oil.
The presentation ceremony On Friday, October 17 was attended by bank executives, staff members, and the winners. The prizes were distributed to winners residing in both Freetown and various provincial areas of the country.
One of the winners, Joseph Fofanah, expressed his gratitude and initial skepticism when he received the call from GTBank informing him of his win. He initially believed it was a fraudulent attempt but later confirmed the authenticity of the call with a bank staff member. Fofanah encouraged other customers to continue banking with GTBank to benefit from its many offerings.
Another winner, Memunatu Dumbuya, shared a similar experience of disbelief when she received the winning call. She initially ignored the call but later followed up and confirmed her win. Dumbuya expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity.
Victor Cleveland, Head of Retail Banking, explained that the ‘Kip for D Bambai’ raffle is designed to reward customers who make a minimum deposit of NLE 250. He encouraged customers with dormant accounts to activate them and non-customers to open new accounts to participate in future draws.
Cleveland also highlighted the rationale behind providing cooking condiments instead of cash prizes. He explained that the aim was to alleviate the burden of rising prices in the market and provide essential items for customers.
The ‘Kip for D Bambai’ Reloaded promotion is a six-month Deposit and Win campaign running until December 2024. A grand draw in January 2025 will award four motorbikes to lucky customers.
The RCBank Prepaid Card is designed to enable Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora and at home to make purchases online, withdraw cash at an ATM, and pay for goods and services safely and conveniently from anywhere in the world.
With the RCBank Prepaid Card, you can fund, budget, withdraw at any ATM, and spend safely.
The card is available for both RCBank and non-RCBank customers. This means you can access the prepaid card and load it to avoid handling cash on your next trip. It is acceptable on international POS or ATM.
The card is:
Great for budgeting and controlling your spending
For RCBank and Non-RCBank Customers
Reloadable and not linked to any account
Usable on ATM, POS, and online anywhere in the world
Great for gifting to your loved ones
Able to generate mini-statements
Enjoying unrivalled protection with 3D security for online transactions
Home Remittance
Transferring money home for your family occasionally or regularly? The RCBank Prepaid can provide safe and secure home remittances when registered on the RCBank Simkorpor App.
How to Start Using The RCBank Prepaid Card
The RCBank Prepaid Card is not linked to your regular savings or current account at the Bank. It gives you the flexibility to spend only when it has been loaded on the card and saves you the risk of exposing too much money online. The Prepaid Card is specifically helpful if you are trying to stick to a budget or if you are trying to avoid overspending.
With over two hundred Agency Operating Points, 17 Branches and several Outlets in Sierra Leone; Rokel Commercial Bank has an ever-expanding network and correspondent banks worldwide, rest assured that RCBank will get your money into the hands of those closest to you, no matter how far they are.
The United Nations World Food Programme, Sierra Leone (WFP) invites interested companies with a proven track record of relevant experience to submit their Expression of Interest for the provision of the following services:
1. Provision of Road Transport (Food and Non-Food Items) to all locations in Sierra Leone. 2. Third Party Logistics Services, field-level warehousing, transport, and food handling. 3. Commodity handling, Labour, and Warehouse Cleaning Services. 4. Vehicle Workshop Waste Management Services. 5. Break bulk food import clearing and forwarding, logistics operations.
All interested and qualified companies are requested to email WFP at [email protected] with ‘logistics vendor EOI’ in the subject, to request a vendor questionnaire.
WFP is interested in receiving Expressions of Interest nationally and has offices in Freetown, Makeni and Kenema.
The closing date for the EOI is 10 November at 18:00 and interested vendors are encouraged to submit their EOI before this date.
This Invitation for Expression of Interest does not amount to a commitment on the part of WFP either financially or otherwise. WFP reserves the right to accept or reject any or all requests for a questionnaire with no further obligation on the part of WFP.
Orange Money has officially launched its highly anticipated ‘Kotoku’ initiative.
The launching ceremony was held on Friday, 18th October 2024, at Orange’s office, Rawdon Street in Freetown.
The initiative aim to support and empower small businesses across Sierra Leone, and the launching was met with excitement, especially from market women who sang in unison, “Kotoku na wan word oh, oh yah, Kotoku na wan word oh, oh yah,” reflecting their enthusiasm for this new mobile money solution.
The ‘Kotoku’ product, named after the Krio word for “pocket,” is a mobile money service designed to enhance financial transactions for small business owners, particularly in the informal sector. It provides a secure, accessible, and user-friendly platform for traders to save, send, and receive money. This will help them better manage their finances, conduct payments, and grow their businesses.
In his remarks, Joseph Saffa Tengbeh, Head of Marketing, Strategy, and Partnership at Orange Money, explained that ‘Kotoku’ is tailored for small and medium-scale businesses. He noted that in the past, when customers wanted to pay via Orange Money, traders would often ask for payments to be made to their personal numbers, leading to additional costs, such as cash-out fees.
The ‘Kotoku’ initiative addresses these issues by creating a separate business wallet for traders, allowing them to manage both personal and business transactions on the same number. “With ‘Kotoku,’ business owners now have a designated business wallet. This system not only makes their transactions more professional but also eliminates the need for additional cash-out fees and even offers commissions on payments received,” Tengbeh stated.
He added that ‘Kotoku’ is not just for business owners but also caters to Keke riders, bike riders, taxi drivers, and other small-scale entrepreneurs. He encouraged small business owners to enroll in ‘Kotoku’ by dialing #144810# or registering with Orange Money field sales agents, who are providing free enrollment services. One of the key benefits of the initiative is that businesses do not need formal registration to qualify for the service, a departure from the previous merchant system.
Additionally, Tengbeh highlighted that ‘Kotoku’ users will not need separate passwords for their business wallet, as it will operate with the same credentials as their personal wallet.
He further emphasized the advantages of the initiative, noting that business owners who use ‘Kotoku’ will receive commissions on payments made through their wallet, enjoy free cash-outs, and be able to transfer funds to other ‘Kotoku’ wallets without incurring any charges. Traders using ‘Kotoku’ are also eligible for loans of up to NLE 5,000.
David Mansaray, Chief Executive Officer of Orange Money, stressed the significance of ‘Kotoku’ in empowering small businesses. “Small businesses are the backbone of Sierra Leone’s economy. With ‘Kotoku,’ we are ensuring that these businesses, many run by women, have access to modern financial services that will support their growth and sustainability,” Mansaray said.
Mansaray noted that ‘Kotoku’ is part of Orange Money’s broader strategy to empower businesses in a country where many small-scale traders lack access to formal banking services. He highlighted that ‘Kotoku’ users will benefit from commissions on transactions and assured business owners that payments made into their ‘Kotoku’ wallets are secure, with no possibility of payment reversals, unlike regular Orange Money accounts.
“Kotoku is built for Sierra Leone, and our goal is to help small business owners earn more and grow their enterprises. Join ‘Kotoku’ today, and remember, Orange Money is here to stay today, tomorrow, and forever. Orange Money Kotoku ‘tay go’,” Mansaray concluded.
The Chief Commercial Officer at Orange Sierra Leone, Haffie Haffner, described the launch as historic, marking the first time such an initiative has been introduced in Sierra Leone.
She commended the Orange Money team for their efforts in empowering small businesses and urged business owners to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by ‘Kotoku.’
Matty Kanu, Chairlady of the Vegetable Sellers Association, expressed her excitement about the potential benefits of ‘Kotoku.’ “This is the kind of support we need to grow our businesses. With ‘Kotoku,’ we can now save money, make payments to suppliers without leaving our shops, and even apply for loans without incurring extra charges,” she said.
She encouraged all small business owners to enroll in the ‘Kotoku’ wallet initiative, which she described as a significant boost to their enterprises.
The ‘Kotoku’ initiative is part of Orange Money’s ongoing commitment to leveraging technology to drive economic development and improve the quality of life for Sierra Leoneans. With the majority of the population dependent on small-scale businesses, ‘Kotoku’ offers an innovative solution to the financial challenges entrepreneurs face in accessing reliable services, ultimately empowering them to grow and thrive.
Sierra Leone is part of a mammoth plan of benefitting from a 25 billion USD gas pipeline that will travel from Nigeria to Morocco with a further extension to Spain.
Architects are saying that the pipeline will stretch a massive 4,350 miles passing through 11 countries along the Atlantic coast from Nigeria. These countries include Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Senegal and Morocco.
They estimated that the construction work could take years before completion with a capacity of 10 cubic metres each year.
Nigeria, which has the 9th largest proven gas reserve in the world is looking to reach the European markets with ease.
This project, if brought to fruition, could create jobs for the local Sierra Leonean population and experience for engineers in the country as they also intend to start explorations for oil off the Pujehun coast in the next couple of years.
Cash remains the most popular method of payment in Sierra Leone due to its wide acceptance for goods and services.
However, recent trends indicate that while cash dominates the volume of transactions, RCBank debit card payments tend to have higher average transaction values.
This means that although cash may still be king, the RCBank Debit Korpor Card is becoming increasingly influential. Customers can withdraw cash at nearby ATMs, transfer funds, and make purchases at shops or supermarkets using this card.
The RCBank Korpor Debit Card is linked to your Leone account and allows for local transactions within Sierra Leone. It is accepted at all ATMs, online platforms, and POS terminals throughout the country. This shift is promoting greater financial inclusion and simplifying the digitization of payments.
The Korpor Debit Card provides 24-hour access to your current and savings accounts. Many users cite safety concerns surrounding cash as a primary reason for choosing digital payment options, as carrying cash can pose risks.
How to Obtain a Korpor Debit Card from RCBank
All RCBank account holders can visit any of the bank’s branches for instant card issuance.
Cash remains the most popular method of payment in Sierra Leone due to its wide acceptance for goods and services.
However, recent trends indicate that while cash dominates the volume of transactions, RCBank debit card payments tend to have higher average transaction values.
This means that although cash may still be king, the RCBank Debit Korpor Card is becoming increasingly influential. Customers can withdraw cash at nearby ATMs, transfer funds, and make purchases at shops or supermarkets using this card.
The RCBank Korpor Debit Card is linked to your Leone account and allows for local transactions within Sierra Leone. It is accepted at all ATMs, online platforms, and POS terminals throughout the country. This shift is promoting greater financial inclusion and simplifying the digitization of payments.
The Korpor Debit Card provides 24-hour access to your current and savings accounts. Many users cite safety concerns surrounding cash as a primary reason for choosing digital payment options, as carrying cash can pose risks.
How to Obtain a Korpor Debit Card from RCBank
All RCBank account holders can visit any of the bank’s branches for instant card issuance.
Sierra Leone is part of a mammoth plan of benefitting from a 25 billion USD gas pipeline that will travel from Nigeria to Morocco with a further extension to Spain.
Architects are saying that the pipeline will stretch a massive 4,350 miles passing through 11 countries along the Atlantic coast from Nigeria. These countries include Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Senegal and Morocco.
They estimated that the construction work could take years before completion with a capacity of 10 cubic metres each year.
Nigeria, which has the 9th largest proven gas reserve in the world is looking to reach the European markets with ease.
This project, if brought to fruition, could create jobs for the local Sierra Leonean population and experience for engineers in the country as they also intend to start explorations for oil off the Pujehun coast in the next couple of years.
