Orange Money and AMJAM Launch KwikMoni Loan Service to Empower Small Businesses in Sierra Leone


Orange Mobile Finance SL Ltd (OMFSL) and AMJAM & Associates Ltd have introduced a groundbreaking financial initiative aimed at boosting small businesses across Sierra Leone.

The KwikMoni Loan Service, officially launched on Monday, offers digital microloans to Orange Money subscribers, agents, and merchants, providing them with quick access to credit.

The launch event, held on 5th May 2025, at the OMFSL head office, drew key stakeholders, including executives from OMFSL, representatives from AMJAM, financial institution delegates, Orange Money partners, and members of the press. The atmosphere was vibrant with optimism as industry leaders highlighted the potential of KwikMoni to transform financial inclusion and support entrepreneurship.

A Digital Solution for Financial Empowerment

KwikMoni is designed as a fast, secure, and entirely digital loan service. It enable users to borrow money directly from AMJAM with funds deposited into their OM wallets. Developed by AMJAM, the service leverages a data-driven scoring model to assess eligibility, offering loan amounts ranging from NLe1,000 to NLe5,000 for agents and merchants, and up to NLe1,000 for subscribers.

Loans are available 24/7, with repayment periods of 7 days for agents and 30 days for merchants and subscribers. The initiative is tailored to meet liquidity challenges faced by small business owners, helping them manage stock, cover short-term expenses, and maintain cash flow.

Voices from the Leadership

During the event, Sekou Amadu Bah, Board Chairman of OMFSL, underscored the strategic importance of KwikMoni:

“We are breaking down barriers that have kept too many out of formal credit systems. KwikMoni is not just a service, it’s an opportunity for growth and financial empowerment.”

David Samba Mansaray, CEO of Orange Mobile Finance SL Ltd, emphasized KwikMoni’s potential to drive economic resilience:

“KwikMoni is more than just a loan, it’s a tool for empowerment. Whether you’re a market woman, taxi driver, or small shop owner, this service grants you immediate access to working capital, helping you grow your business and secure your livelihood.”

Marju Jalloh, CCO of AMJAM, representing the CEO, highlighted the partnership between AMJAM and OMFSL:

“This collaboration showcases the transformative potential of technology. KwikMoni embodies trust, inclusion, and innovative finance values central to our commitment to the community.”

Who Can Benefit from KwikMoni?

KwikMoni is accessible to:

  • Fully registered Orange Money subscribers
  • Orange Money merchants
  • Orange Money agents

Eligibility is based on transaction consistency and usage patterns on the Orange Money platform. To apply, users simply dial:

  • #144*7# for Subscribers
  • #145*9#, select option 12 for Agents
  • #146*9# for Merchants

Empowering the Informal Economy

The introduction of KwikMoni is expected to significantly impact the informal sector, which forms a large part of Sierra Leone’s business landscape. By providing easy and immediate access to credit, the service helps bridge the financing gap that many small enterprises face.

Business owners, including traders, Keke riders, and kiosk operators, no longer need to rely on informal borrowing. The digital nature of KwikMoni means they can secure loans without leaving their workplace—no paperwork, no collateral, and no queues.

Moving Forward

KwikMoni marks the latest in a series of financial innovations from OMFSL and AMJAM, focused on expanding digital financial services to underserved communities. With a growing user base exceeding 2 million, the companies remain committed to fostering economic resilience through accessible and innovative solutions.

For more information, customers are encouraged to contact Orange Money Customer Service, dialling: 111.

This launch marks a pivotal step in Sierra Leone’s journey towards inclusive financial services, offering small businesses a reliable way to access credit and strengthen their economic stability.

 




Source link

Orange Money Launches ‘Kotoku’ Wallet to Empower Small Businesses


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.




Source link

Orange Money Launches ‘Kotoku’ Wallet to Empower Small Businesses


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.




Source link