In a noteworthy stride towards fostering digital inclusion, Africell Sierra Leone has joined forces with Media Matters for Women (MMW) to provide critical digital skills training to over 300 schoolgirls and female entrepreneurs across Sierra Leone’s rural communities. This partnership, which focuses on bridging the digital divide, aims to equip the next generation of women with the tools they need to excel in both education and business.
The initiative, dubbed the “Digitruck Salone Project”, is spearheaded by MMW with financial support from Close the Gap through the Internet Society Foundation. Africell’s involvement has been pivotal in ensuring that this mobile digital classroom reaches those most in need, specifically underserved areas, where access to technology and digital education remains limited.
The heart of the project lies in a 40-foot shipping container, transformed into a cutting-edge, solar-powered mobile classroom. This innovative unit travels across the Western Area Rural District, Bombali and Kenema to deliver lessons in digital literacy and entrepreneurship to those who would otherwise be left behind in the digital age.
Alinah Oliet Kallon, Manager of the Digitruck Salone Project, proudly shared that 308 schoolgirls and 31 female entrepreneurs have already benefitted from the initiative. “With the support of Africell and our other partners, we have been able to reach our goal of empowering young girls with the necessary digital tools to enhance their learning experience, while also helping women build and expand their businesses,” Alinah Oliet Kallon said.
She emphasized that the project not only teaches practical digital skills but is also instrumental in narrowing the gender gap in technology access, particularly in rural areas where such opportunities are scarce. The project is a significant leap toward empowering women to harness the full potential of digital tools, thereby enhancing their social and economic standing.
Africell’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Joe Abass Bangura, who attended a recent event celebrating the project’s progress, reflected on the role of education and technology in shaping futures. Drawing from his personal experiences of rising from modest beginnings to corporate leadership, Joe Abass Bangura remarked, “Every child has the potential to change their world. What they need is access and opportunity.”
He commended MMW and its partners for their unwavering commitment to closing the digital divide and praised Africell’s ongoing efforts to foster community development. “We believe in the power of partnerships to create meaningful change,” Joe Abass Bangura added. “Projects like Digitruck are not just about technology; they represent hope, growth and the promise of a brighter future.”
Africell has a history of supporting initiatives that empower youth and women, including nationwide coding boot camps and mobile computer labs aimed at enriching young minds. The company’s support for the Digitruck Salone Project underscores its enduring commitment to creating lasting social impact and driving inclusive development in Sierra Leone.
As the Digitruck Salone Project continues its journey to new communities, Africell’s ongoing partnership stands as a testament to the company’s belief in the transformative power of education and technology. The initiative not only empowers individuals but also fosters a more equitable and digitally inclusive Sierra Leone for future generations.
