By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a significant step towards promoting financial inclusion and operational efficiency, Afrimoney, one of Sierra Leone’s leading mobile money operators, has formalized a partnership with Street Child Sierra Leone, a prominent Non-Governmental Organization. The two entities recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to streamline financial operations and improve service delivery for the NGO’s beneficiaries.
During the MoU signing ceremony, Alfred Joseph Lavalie, Corporate Sales Manager of Afrimoney, emphasized that the partnership aligns with the Bank of Sierra Leone’s mandate for broader financial inclusion. He noted, “As a mobile money operator, we are responding to this national call by providing innovative solutions that make services more accessible, especially for organizations like Street Child Sierra Leone.”
Alfred Joseph Lavalie highlighted the existing relationship between Street Child and Afrimoney’s parent company, Africell, which made the transition to mobile money services a natural evolution. “Given Street Child’s work, which involves frequent monetary transactions to support beneficiaries, incorporating their operations into Afrimoney’s platform will significantly streamline their processes and improve overall service delivery,” he added.
The Corporate Sales Manager further elaborated that Afrimoney aims to collaborate with various organizations, including NGOs, to offer tailored solutions that not only enhance operational efficiency but also contribute to the broader goal of financial inclusion across Sierra Leone. “Our goal is to ensure that institutions like Street Child can operate more efficiently, while we expand the reach of financial services to underserved communities,” Alfred Joseph Lavalie explained.
Keifala Kargbo, the Country Director of Street Child Sierra Leone, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, describing it as a pivotal moment in their ongoing relationship with Africell. “This is a significant milestone for us,” Keifala Kargbo stated. He explained that one of the key challenges his organization faced was the physical handling of large sums of money, which posed logistical and security risks.
“With Afrimoney’s platform, our team no longer needs to carry millions of Leones in cash for distribution to beneficiaries. This partnership ensures not only the safety and security of our staff and beneficiaries but also enhances transparency in the disbursement process,”
Keifala Kargbo noted.
The collaboration is expected to have a transformative impact on Street Child’s operations, enabling the NGO to manage its financial transactions more efficiently.
Keifala Kargbo also commended Afrimoney for its commitment to providing all necessary services to facilitate the smooth execution of Street Child’s activities across the country.
Both Afrimoney and Street Child are optimistic that the partnership will significantly enhance financial inclusion efforts in Sierra Leone, benefiting thousands of citizens who rely on the services provided by Street Child. This collaboration marks a notable advancement in the ongoing efforts to integrate mobile money solutions into the daily operations of NGOs, providing a secure and efficient alternative to cash-based transactions.
The partnership underscores Afrimoney’s broader mission to promote financial inclusion and digital financial services in Sierra Leone, aligning with the country’s long-term development goals of creating a more inclusive financial landscape.
