Africell marked a momentous occasion at The Lead Hotel in Freetown on Monday, January 13, 2024, celebrating 25 years of successful operations across Africa and 20 years of transformative telecommunications services in Sierra Leone. The event, which drew attendance from prominent figures such as the Chief Minister, Government officials, Africell Executives, partners and loyal customers, highlighted the company’s significant journey and its role in the nation’s digital evolution.
The Chief Minister’s presence at the event underscored Africell’s importance in Sierra Leone’s development. In his speech, he lauded Africell’s steadfast commitment to innovation and community empowerment, emphasizing the company’s crucial role in narrowing the digital divide within the country. “Africell has been a vital partner in driving progress and fostering economic growth,” he remarked.
A video presentation during the evening showcased Africell’s extensive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, including disaster relief, educational support and youth empowerment through the Africell Impact Foundation. These efforts have further cemented Africell’s status as a key contributor to Sierra Leone’s development.
One of the event’s highlights was a raffle draw where 25 fortunate winners walked away with exciting prizes, such as Star Times decoders, Samsung smartphones, Africell MiFi devices and internet fiber installations. This raffle was both a celebration of Africell’s enduring success and a gesture of gratitude towards its customers.
Africell’s CEO, Shadi Al-Gerjawi, delivered an impassioned speech reflecting on the company’s achievements over the years. He highlighted key milestones, including the introduction of mobile and internet technologies, the launch of Afrimoney for financial inclusion and the company’s significant investments in job creation and community development. “Our journey has always been about more than just telecommunications; it’s about empowering communities and creating opportunities,” he said, pledging that Africell would continue to spearhead digital transformation in Sierra Leone.
Ziad Dalloul, Africell’s CEO, President and Founder, shared his vision for the company’s future. “When we commenced operations a quarter of a century ago, we set a long-term strategy that we were determined to stick to,” he said. “Despite the many economic, political and cultural transformations that have occurred since then, we have accomplished that goal. Our vision for Africell from the beginning was to be a trusted mobile provider serving carefully chosen markets where we could make a deep commitment and have a big impact. This is exactly what we have achieved, and the same philosophy will guide us for the next twenty-five years.”
Africell’s 25th anniversary will be celebrated with various promotions, projects and events, including:
- Public celebration events in key cities and towns across Angola, DRC, The Gambia and Sierra Leone.
- An all-new africell.com, serving as a hub for Africell content, data and information.
- The release of several ‘Africell Presents’ films, including a feature-length documentary about the ‘Lobito Corridor’ and mini-documentaries about Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Angola.
- Various community-focused initiatives in health, sports, education and the environment.
- Innovative product and service promotions designed to make Africell services more affordable and accessible than ever before.
Africell’s anniversary celebration reflects its enduring commitment to its customers and its vision for the future, continuing to lead the digital revolution in Sierra Leone and beyond.
