By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a significant move aimed at formalizing financial practices and expanding access to a broader population, Afrimoney Sierra Leone has officially partnered with MiKashBoks. The partnership was sealed on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at Africell Sierra Leone Headquarters in Freetown.
Alfred Lavallie, Corporate Sales Manager, Afrimoney, welcomed attendees to the signing ceremony, stating that MiKashBoks joins Afrimoney to enhance financial inclusion and provide better solutions for all.
Nafisatu Jones, Marketing and Communications Lead for MiKashBoks, introduced MiKashBoks as a mobile application revolutionizing savings in Sierra Leone, emphasizing its motto: “It Pays to Save.” Through innovative features like “Osusu Na Yu Phone” and “Personal Cashbox,” MiKashBoks facilitates safer and more convenient savings for individuals and groups, revealing that the partnership with Afrimoney is seen as a significant step towards formalizing financial practices and extending access to a wider population.
She disclosed that ‘Osusu Na Yu Phone’ was inspired by founder, Salton Masaalay’s personal experience, aiming to bridge financial gaps faced by individuals and foster trust and inclusivity within the community.
Marketing and Communications Lead said that the partnership between Afrimoney and MiKashBoks seeks to bolster efforts to provide formal financial services to all Sierra Leoneans, with only two out of every ten adults currently having access to financial services, the collaboration aims to address the country’s pressing need for improved financial inclusion.
Nafisatu Jones said MiKashBoks offers excluded communities access to a comprehensive range of financial services, enabling them to earn competitive interest rates on savings, establish credit history, and access a marketplace offering fair opportunities for loans at better rates.
She informed the gathering that MiKashBoks was granted a financial services license by the Bank of Sierra Leone in November 2023, solidifying its status as a legally registered entity committed to upholding the highest ethical and quality standards in the financial sector.
She further stated that MiKashBoks is readily accessible to users, available on the Google Play Store for Android users, and accessible via dialling *352# for iPhone or basic feature phone users, ensuring inclusivity and ease of access for all.
Reginald Campbell, the Regional Deployment Lead at Mikashbox, emphasized the app’s efficiency and robust features, aiming to address concerns about irregularities while underscoring their dedication to providing exceptional customer support and education, outlining forthcoming plans for an extensive financial literacy campaign designed to empower users and combat fraudulent activities.
Campbell affirmed the availability of Mikashbox on the Google Play Store for Android users, along with accessible sign-up options for iPhone and basic feature phone users, ensures inclusivity and ease of access for all.”
He highlighted Mikashbox’s significant impact, boasting over 7,000 customers since its launch, and expressed confidence that it will revolutionize Sierra Leone’s financial landscape by offering a straightforward yet effective solution for savings and financial management.
On his part, Martison Obeng-Gyei, Managing Director of Afrimoney, emphasized that the collaboration, the safety and convenience of Afrimoney’s mobile cash transfer services.
He assured that the partnership with MiKashBoks is not only about financial inclusion but also about safety and convenience, highlighting the importance of saving regardless of the amount.
Obeng-Gyei reiterated Afrimoney’s commitment to the Osusu scheme, assuring that it will continue to be supported by the network. He also noted that the partnership aims to digitalize the Osusu scheme, ensuring its sustainability.
Closing the ceremony was the official launching of the partnership between Afrimoney and MiKashBoks by Martison Obeng-Gyei, Managing Director of Afrimoney, Nafisatu Jones, Marketing and Communications Lead for MiKashBoks and the Corporate Affairs Director of Africell Sierra Leone, Joe Abass Bangura.
