Sierra Leone’s leading telecoms company, Orange has received recommendation from United Nations for successfully implementing the ‘Improved Access to Digital Finance Project,’ Other partners in the project: Empire Solutions and Mosabi were similarly commended for a job well done.

The one-year projects at improving financial inclusion, access to finance, train women as Orange Money agents and to extend credit facilities to women. The set objectives were achieved. The project was initiated to cushion economic hardship brought about by covid-19 and the Russian-Ukraine war. The project focused primarily on women who are among the low Income-earning group of society.

At an assessment ceremony held yesterday at Orange headquarters in Freetown, the UNCDF (Capital Development Fund) representative, Wycliffe Ngwebe praised Orange Money for a successful implementation of a project that has benefited the women of Sierra Leone.

“The future of Sierra Leone is bright, the partnership between UNCDF and Orange Money is an evidence of how a lot can be achieved in the digital space,” he recommended Sierra Leone.

The success Ngwebe went on, was in line with key goals of the Sustainable Development Goals, 2030 hinging on poverty and women’s empowerment. Owing to the achievements recorded, Mr Ngwebe assured the company of strengthening the partnership since more needed to be done.
“Building on the success, there is need for extension since much has to be done,” UNCDF representative assured.

He went on to state that as a result of the project, 21 per cent of women are Orange Money agents, and there is hope for educating 10,000 customers on financial literacy. The financial empowerment scheme will improve the less than 30% of financial inclusion of women, a figure indicated by a World Bank report of 2021. With the implementation of the project, a sound digital eco-system is in pace improving women’s access to finance. The beneficiaries also appreciated Orange Money’s work.

One of them, an Orange Money agent, Christiana Davies at Dwazark Junction in Freetown said her business had been doing well in the community, “Orange Money has made us the women business owners within a short time,” Christiana commended Orange Money. Seray Bah is also one of the beneficiaries who explained how he was brought into the system with a Le1m capital without registration documents.

“Orange Sierra Leone helped me to register and acquire all necessary documents for the business,” she recounted. With the small amount of money, Seray said, she was a bit hesitant to go into the business. But, she later became a key participant in the Orange Money trade through words of encouragement from the company officials.

With a paltry sum, business was a bit challenging for Seray as people came in to send and to cash out huge sums of money. She however overcame the challenge with passion. Impressed by the positive assessment, OSL women president, Martha Sumaila saw the occasion as a platform for celebrating the company’s success stories. She assured women that her institution would continue to empower women financially by expanding mobile coverage.

“Orange Money provides wide-range of financial services by extending networks to various parts of the country,” she assured the beneficiaries. Orange Money CEO (Chief Executive Officer) commended UNCDF for partnering with his organization to ensure that women are financially empowered.

“Before the UNCDF project, Orange Money had only 300 women as agents. After the project, the company now have over 1,000 women operating as Orange Money,” Orange Money CEO informed journalists. Mansaray saw the huge increase in the number of Orange Money business women as a glorious achievement in one year of what they cannot achieve in four years.

At the start of the project, he said, most did not have the required business documents but the company came to their aid. “With support from the fund, we were able to expand the scope. As a result, several customers were able to access money” he said.
The Orange Money ‘Lajor’ the CEO continued; the company’s main credit facility was also used to fund the women’s business. Question-and-answer session also formed part of the ceremony.