By Amin Kef Sesay: Washington DC
In an exclusive interview conducted by three independent journalists from Sierra Leone, namely Amadu Lamrana Bah, Amin Kef Sesay and Mohamed Fofanah, who primarily travelled to Washington DC in order to cover the US-Africa Summit, held from the 13th December 2022 to the 15th December, 2022, with Africell’s US based Director of Communications, Sam Williams , the Director started by stating that Africell is indeed proud to be the only US-owned mobile operator that is doing business in Africa with presence in four countries namely: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.
Sam continued by intimating how their mission is to be seen as a positive and successful example of international investment in Africa, inspiring other American and international businesses to follow.
The Africell Communications Director furthered how the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit offered an important opportunity to reaffirm the relationship between Africa and the United States maintaining that Africa and the U.S. have a huge amount to gain from a strong and open relationship.
He underscored that Africell is committed to increasing interaction and exchange between Africa and the United States adding that the dinner they organized on the 13th December, 2022, was graced by President Bio, the First Lady and other Government officials as well as representatives of NGOs, multinational institutions, arts organizations and the media.
He revealed how the event had a creative angle, showcasing contemporary artwork from sub-Saharan Africa and presenting a virtual reality experience of the National Museum of the Democratic Republic of Congo (developed in partnership with the Africell Impact Foundation).
Sam informed that Africell Group CEO and Chairman Ziad Dalloul told guests that Africa and the U.S. have a huge amount to gain from a strong and open relationship.
He said, according to the Africell Group CEO, more trade and investment between Africa and the United States is good for both parties, creating opportunities for growth across the spectrum – including in Africell’s own sector, telecommunications.
Sam informed that President Dr Julius Maada Bio addressed the event commending Africell’s contributions to telecommunications in Sierra Leone and commenting on the positive impact of its cultural and community-focused work.
He expressed appreciation and gratitude to President Bio, the 1st Lady, Dr. Fatima Bio and other Government dignitaries for honouring their invitation to a dinner adding that Africell, as a company, was and is very pleased with the complimentary statements made by President Bio of the company’s positive and impactful operations in Sierra Leone adding that the company also used the occasion to introduce the President and entourage to personalities of other United States businesses.
Sam maintained that the complimentary statements made by President Bio were very impressive as he was full of commendations of how the telecommunications company had been contributing towards the development of the country in diverse ways further encouraging them to continue the good work.
He further underscored that the compliments expressed by President Bio clearly show that they are making positive impacts in their operations in the country saying that they were very impressed.
The Communications Director further revealed that Africell has been in operations now for 21 years underscoring how the telecommunications company places high priority on rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility everywhere it is operating.
Sam Williams intimated that though their core businesses are building sites, rolling out coverage and do marketing, however, it is equally important that they focus on how to get the appreciation, support and acceptance of residents in communities maintaining that is the underlying reason why the company has been supporting the arts, music, innovation etc.
He pointed out that the telecommunications sector, unlike others, is not strictly controlled by market forces referencing when there was the COVID-19 outbreak saying when most companies were struggling the telecommunications sector was doing well because at that material time it was only feasible for most people and organizations to make use of digital communication.
He said that through the Africell Impact Foundation, Africell supports initiatives in the areas of education and entrepreneurship; arts, culture, and heritage; health, sports and wellbeing; and environment action and emergency relief.
“Our ambition is to narrow Africa’s opportunity gap by linking people to the digital and physical resources they need to engage fully in community life,” he concluded during the interview.
The Communications Director ended up assuring that Africell will continue its operations in Africa including Sierra Leone assuring of rolling out of qualitative telecommunications services to their subscribers.
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