Rokel Commercial Bank (RCBank) has once again solidified its position as a leading force in Sierra Leone’s digital transformation drive, partnering with the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) to launch a groundbreaking digital payment system under the theme “Paying for Clean, Safe, and Affordable Water Just Got Easier.”

The launch event, held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, marked a significant step in modernizing water bill payments across the country by fully integrating SALWACO into RCB’s Simkorpor digital platform. The initiative promises greater convenience, accessibility, and transparency for water consumers, especially those in remote areas.

In a statement on behalf of RCBank Managing Director Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, who was unavoidably absent, the bank’s Director of Business Development, Mr. Abdul Rahman Mahdi, highlighted the rich history and national ownership of RCBank. He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by supporting SALWACO’s mandate to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable water services to over 5.6 million Sierra Leoneans.

“This partnership reflects our dedication to financial inclusion and national development. By embracing innovation, we are not only improving access to clean water but also reducing the spread of waterborne diseases and boosting economic productivity,” the statement read.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of RCBank, Madam Zakiatu Dickson commended SALWACO’s leadership for what she described as a “bold, customer-centered transformation.” She emphasized that the partnership demonstrates RCBank’s unwavering commitment to public-private collaboration and innovation for development.

Customers now have two payment options through Rokel Commercial Bank:

  1. Non-account holders can pay water bills directly at any RCBank branch or outlet.

  2. Account holders can conveniently pay via the Rokel Simkorpor mobile app, enabling seamless payments from anywhere.

SALWACO’s Deputy Managing Director, Apostle Dr. Albert Harrison Harvey, welcomed attendees and emphasized the company’s vision for modernization and enhanced customer satisfaction. He described the RCBank-SALWACO integration as a strategic milestone in streamlining services.

Mr. Mohamed Aziz Waggay, Director of Commercial Services at SALWACO, noted that the new system would eliminate long queues, improve accountability, and significantly reduce human errors, ultimately increasing revenue and customer satisfaction.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Permanent Secretary Mr. Alie Bakarr Conteh delivered the keynote address, praising the initiative as a model public-private partnership aligned with Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan.

“This integration is not just about technology  it’s about empowering people, improving service delivery, and promoting transparency. Government is fully committed to supporting such innovations that strengthen governance and accountability,” he said.

SALWACO Managing Director, Ing. George Lamin Vandi, hailed the integration as part of a broader digital strategy, noting ongoing collaborations with Afrimoney and upcoming partnerships with Orange Money to further simplify water bill payments.

“This is just the beginning,” he stated. “Our goal is to integrate with more financial institutions to better serve our customers and expand our revenue base.”

The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from Chrisla Koroma, SALWACO’s Planning and Policy Manager, followed by a photo session to commemorate the milestone.

This partnership between Rokel Commercial Bank and SALWACO sets a promising precedent for how financial institutions and state utilities can collaborate to enhance service delivery, boost revenue collection, and promote digital inclusion for national development.