In February 2025, at the Freetown International Conference Centre in Aberdeen, Orange Money received an impressive recognition at the Western African Bankers awards night as “Leader in Financial Inclusion in Sierra Leone”. This prestigious award acknowledged the company’s outstanding contributions to enhancing financial access and empowering the underserved population across various regions in Seirra Leone. The award ceremony was organized by the West African Bankers’ Association to honour key players driving financial innovation and inclusion across the region.
Mr. Joseph Tengbeh, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Marketing at OMFSL, accepted the award on behalf of Orange Money SL and commenting on the award he stated that “the award solidifies Orange Mobile finance’s position as a trail blazer in the sector”.
Orange Money Sierra Leone Chief Executive Officer, David S. Mansaray expressed gratitude for receiving the award and highlighted that “the company is committed to innovation and unmatched customer service and thanked his team and the partnerships that have contributed to the company’s success in reinforcing their vision to boost digital finance”. He further commented on the importance of financial inclusion and how Orange money continues to empower individuals and businesses through accessible mobile financial services. Orange money has proven to be a trusted player in guaranteeing reliable and secure access to your money anywhere, anytime, for everyone. With nearly 40 million customers across the African continent, Orange Money continues its commitment to ever more accessible and innovative mobile finance. Orange Money SL remains at the forefront of mobile money inclusion, playing a pivotal role in enhancing seamless transactions between mobile wallets and banks. Through innovative financial solutions, the company continues to empower individuals and businesses, bridging the gap between traditional banking and digital finance. Orange money Africa and middle east recently announced opening if its new headquarters in Abidjan, cote d’lvoire. An important milestone demonstrating the groups’ commitment to Africa and to facilitate innovative financial services for all and to contribute to the growth of African financial ecosystem. A new stage is being prepared….one more step towards you, towards proximity, more impact, and more solutions adapted to your needs.
African Global Logistics (AGL) has invested about Nle800, 000 in food items, school materials and renovation works at the Milton Margai School for the Blind and the School for the Deaf and Dumb, reaffirming its commitment to supporting inclusive education.
The support was presented on Thursday, September 24, 2026, during a ceremony at the school grounds in Freetown. The intervention is not AGL’s first, as the company has previously supported and renovated facilities at the two schools.
Giving the welcome address, AGL Communications member Abibu Jalloh said the company was pleased to spend time with students, teachers and administrators as part of its School Prosperity Initiative.
Jalloh said AGL remained committed to supporting education and creating an environment where children can learn, grow and fulfil their potential.
“We have come not only to present our contributions, but also listen, interact, share moments with the students, and appreciate the important work being done by the school and its staff,” he said.
He thanked the school administrations, teachers and students for welcoming AGL and appreciated the company’s management and staff for contributing resources towards the initiative.
Also speaking, Captain Fabjanko Kokan expressed gratitude to AGL committee members, staff, partners and teachers for their contributions and dedication.
“This is not a gift. This is hope, and it is a wake-up call,” Kokan said, calling on businesses to pay greater attention to children with disabilities.
He said blind and deaf children do not need pity but deserve opportunities to build their future.
“Every child deserves to be seen, to be heard, and to dream,” he said, encouraging stakeholders to invest in the children’s potential.
AGL General Manager Maroun Abi Aad similarly called on companies across Sierra Leone to support children with disabilities.
“This is not a gift. This is a hope. And this is the wake-up call for many people to understand that these children need us,” Abi Aad said.
He argued that the true value of businesses should extend beyond their balance sheets and include their contribution to society.
“The true value, human value, is not on the balance sheet. It is to be right here,” he said.
Abi Aad urged stakeholders to work together to create opportunities for the children, stressing that their support should rise above politics.
“This is not a question of the conflict of politics. This is the question of the children,” he said.
At the Milton Margai School for the Blind, Principal Salieu Turay thanked AGL for renovating the school’s old administrative building and improving roofing, electrical wiring, plumbing and ventilation.
He said the improvements had created a more comfortable environment for teachers and pupils.
Turay recalled that AGL had supported the school about seven years ago by installing water tanks and other facilities.
“You have touched lives. You have given hope and confidence to the pupils,” he said, noting that the school is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.
Meanwhile, the school representative for the deef and dump school Josephine Kargbo welcomed the improved space for pupils to play and enjoy sports and called for more inter-school competitions and recreational activities.
The representative also appealed for continued support and drew attention to the need to address drainage challenges around the school.
The speakers expressed hope that the partnership between AGL and the schools would continue to grow and create more opportunities for children with disabilities.
As members of the All Peoples Congress prepare to participate in Saturday’s district elections, the Mohamed Omodu Kamara—Jagaban campaign is urging candidates, delegates, supporters and stakeholders to remember that the contest will end, but the APC must remain.
The party’s National Secretariat has confirmed that the district elections will take place on Saturday, 26 September 2026, with voting centres published as preparations enter their final stage.
For MOK Jagaban and his supporters, however, the significance of Saturday goes beyond who wins individual positions.
The larger question is whether the APC can emerge from the process more united, more disciplined and better prepared for the political journey ahead.
The Jagaban campaign has expressed confidence in its organisation and support within the party, but its message on the eve of the elections is broader than any single camp or candidate:
Different choices must never mean a divided APC.
Internal democracy naturally creates competition. Candidates will campaign. Delegates will make choices. Supporters will have different preferences.
But those differences should never become permanent divisions within the same political family.
THE APC MUST COME FIRST
Across the country, APC members will enter voting centres on Saturday supporting different individuals and different teams.
That is part of democracy.
What matters is what happens when the ballots have been counted.
The party’s own internal election rules describe its electoral process as part of strengthening grassroots participation, internal democracy and effective party organisation.
That objective can only be achieved if competition strengthens the APC rather than weakens it.
For the Jagaban movement, party members should therefore approach Saturday with a simple understanding: no candidate, no campaign and no political tendency is bigger than the APC.
Mohamed Omodu Kamara has his supporters.
Other aspirants have theirs.
Candidates contesting district positions also have their respective supporters.
But when the elections end, every one of those groups will still belong to the same party.
That reality should guide the conduct of everyone involved.
RESPECT THE DELEGATES
Saturday ultimately belongs to the delegates entrusted with making their choices.
Campaigns have every right to persuade.
Candidates have every right to seek support.
Supporters have every right to advocate for those they believe should serve.
But delegates must be allowed to exercise their responsibility freely and respectfully.
Their decisions should not become grounds for hostility.
Where people disagree with an outcome or believe legitimate concerns exist, those concerns should be pursued through the appropriate mechanisms established by the party.
The strength of an institution is demonstrated not merely by its ability to hold elections, but by its ability to manage disagreements after those elections.
WIN WITH HUMILITY, LOSE WITH DIGNITY
The most important test may come when the results are announced.
Some candidates will win.
Others will lose.
That is unavoidable.
What can be avoided is allowing victory to become arrogance or disappointment to become bitterness.
Those elected on Saturday will not become leaders only of the members who voted for them.
They will become officials within a wider district structure and will therefore have a responsibility to work with everyone—including those who opposed them.
Victory should therefore be followed by outreach.
Successful candidates should extend their hands to their opponents and recognise that a strong district executive requires the cooperation of the broader membership.
Likewise, unsuccessful candidates should not be pushed to the margins.
Their supporters remain APC members.
Their experience remains valuable.
Their contribution to the party does not end because they did not win an internal election.
The morning after the vote should be the beginning of reconciliation, not retaliation.
JAGABAN’S MESSAGE: UNITY IS STRENGTH
Mohamed Omodu Kamara, popularly known as Jagaban, has increasingly placed party unity at the centre of his public messaging as the APC progresses through its internal electoral process.
Earlier this week, his campaign publicly called for discipline, respect and unity as the district elections approached, arguing that the process should strengthen party structures rather than deepen internal divisions.
That message becomes even more important on the eve of the elections.
For the Jagaban movement, strength should not simply be measured by the number of positions won.
Political strength must also be demonstrated through restraint, maturity and the ability to build bridges with those who may have supported someone else.
A confident movement does not need to humiliate its opponents.
A strong candidate does not need division to demonstrate political relevance.
And a serious political party cannot allow every internal election to leave wounds that require months to heal.
SATURDAY MUST NOT CREATE ENEMIES
Political campaigns can become emotional.
Friendships can be tested.
Supporters can become passionate.
But APC members should remember that the person standing on the opposite side of an internal contest today may be the same person needed beside them tomorrow.
The elections will last only a matter of hours.
The relationships within the party will matter far longer.
This is why insults, intimidation, personal attacks and unnecessary confrontation serve no long-term political purpose.
Whatever satisfaction they may provide during an election campaign can quickly become a liability when the party needs to reunite.
The APC cannot afford to leave Saturday with new political enemies.
It should leave with stronger district structures and a renewed commitment to working together.
THE HANDSHAKE AFTER THE VOTE
Perhaps the most important political act on Saturday will not be the vote itself.
It may be the handshake that follows the result.
Candidates congratulating one another.
Supporters embracing after a difficult contest.
Winners reaching out to those who lost.
Party members putting aside campaign differences and returning to the larger work of strengthening the APC.
Those moments will demonstrate that internal competition does not have to destroy political relationships.
The district elections should produce leaders.
They should not produce permanent enemies.
ONE PARTY BEYOND THE BALLOT
For MOK Jagaban and the wider APC membership, Saturday is another stage in a longer political journey.
The party will still have further internal contests.
Flagbearer aspirants will continue presenting their cases.
Supporters will continue making choices.
But ultimately, the APC will have to bring its various constituencies, tendencies and personalities together around a common purpose.
The foundation for that unity is being built now.
Every respectful conversation matters.
Every peaceful contest matters.
Every act of political maturity matters.
And every effort to protect relationships within the party matters.
As delegates prepare to cast their votes, the Jagaban campaign’s message can therefore be reduced to one principle:
Support your candidate. Respect the delegates. Respect the outcome. Protect the APC.
Because after the votes have been counted, one truth must remain above every individual ambition:
Tiwai Memory Masters Ltd. (TMM) has rejected allegations it says are intended to damage its reputation, as a procurement complaint involving the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project (SLDTP) is being examined by the Independent Procurement Review Panel (IPRP).
The SLDTP is a US$50 million World Bank-funded initiative being implemented through the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation and is designed to support broadband expansion, digital skills and stronger government digital systems.
Recent reporting indicates that the IPRP commenced an investigation on September 21, 2026, following a complaint by Tiwai Memory Masters concerning procurement associated with the project. The reported complaint relates to the proposed supply, installation, implementation and support of Government Wide Area Network (GWAN) and Government Local Area Network (GLAN) infrastructure.
The review is ongoing, and no final finding on the allegations has been established.
Against that background, TMM has accused unnamed government officials of attempting to damage the company’s image and, according to the company’s position, of seeking to frustrate the procurement review process.
Those allegations against the officials have not been independently established. TMM’s position is contained in a press statement issued on Wednesday by Ing. Mohamed Alpha Turay on behalf of the company’s management.
In the statement, TMM said it had noted what it described as recent media reports and public commentary containing “unfounded allegations” about its involvement in contract delivery and an alleged engagement with the Ministry of Aviation.
The company categorically denied having any engagement with the Ministry of Aviation concerning the matter referred to in the publication.
TMM also rejected suggestions that it had undermined Sierra Leone’s development projects or acted against the national interest.
The company argued that attempts to portray it negatively overlook what it described as more than two decades of work in Sierra Leone’s technology sector.
Established in 2000, TMM said it has developed a reputation for technical competence, professional service and delivery of complex technology projects. The company cited its reported involvement in several nationally significant and donor-funded initiatives.
These include payment-system infrastructure for the Bank of Sierra Leone, the National Payment Switch, data-centre projects, infrastructure for the National Civil Registration Authority, the Digital Farmers Register, ASYCUDA and ITAS infrastructure, and the supply and distribution of approximately 7,000 solar-powered tablets and accessories for the Free Education Project.
TMM also said it is involved in infrastructure implementation for 17 community banks and Apex Bank across Sierra Leone under an IFAD-funded programme.
According to the company, the projects have contributed to areas including financial inclusion, public-sector modernisation, education, agriculture, banking, civil registration, customs administration and digital infrastructure.
The company said its position is that procurement processes must be fair, transparent and conducted in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.
TMM further argued that any concerns about procurement or contract performance should be addressed through competent authorities, formal investigations and documentary evidence rather than speculation or unsubstantiated publications.
The company therefore called on media organisations, commentators and members of the public to verify information before publishing or repeating allegations that could damage the reputation of individuals and institutions.
TMM maintained that responsible journalism and public accountability remain important, but said those principles should be accompanied by accurate information, evidence and an opportunity for affected parties to respond.
The company reiterated that, according to its statement, it has never engaged the Ministry of Aviation in relation to the matter referenced in recent publications, has not undermined Sierra Leone’s development projects and remains committed to lawful and transparent procurement.
Meanwhile, official project documents confirm that procurement under the SLDTP is governed by World Bank procurement regulations and that the project has multiple major digital-infrastructure activities underway.
As the IPRP review proceeds, the allegations and counter-allegations remain matters to be determined through the appropriate procurement-review process and any evidence presented to the relevant authorities.
TMM said it remains committed to Sierra Leone’s digital transformation agenda and has reserved “all rights available” under the law concerning publications or statements it considers false, misleading or defamatory.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), in partnership with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and other stakeholders, has validated the National Agricultural Insurance Policy at the Bintumani Hotel. The policy aims to expand insurance coverage for farmers, reduce agricultural risks, and strengthen resilience under the Feed Salone agenda. Speaking at the validation meeting on Tuesday, 23 September, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, said that once finalized, the policy will be submitted to Cabinet for approval and subsequently rolled out in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. He noted that priority agricultural value chains will be identified for piloting as part of the implementation process. Minister Kpaka described the Agricultural Insurance Policy and the Agricultural Finance Policy as twin instruments, noting that effective agricultural insurance can reduce risks for both farmers and financial institutions. He said this could increase the confidence of banks and other financial institutions to provide financing to farmers, thereby supporting greater investment, productivity, and growth in the agricultural sector. The Lead Consultant for the policy development process, Ayandev Saaha of K.M. Dastur & Company Limited, said the policy development process had been inclusive, involving relevant stakeholders across the agricultural and financial sectors. He noted that agricultural insurance would help farmers manage production risks and provide greater confidence to sustain and expand their farming activities while improving their ability to access finance. Stakeholders at the validation meeting welcomed the development of the policy and called for its effective implementation once approved. They also emphasized the importance of government support, including the possibility of subsidizing a portion of insurance premiums for farmers, particularly during the initial stages of implementation, to encourage wider adoption and coverage.
Africell Sierra Leone and Street Child have launched the 13th Edition of the Sierra Leone Street Child Marathon, with this year’s event scheduled to take place in Makeni on Sunday 25 October 2026.
The launch was held on Tuesday 22 September 2026 at Africell’s headquarters in Wilberforce, Freetown, bringing together representatives of Street Child, Africell, the Sierra Leone Athletes Association and other stakeholders.
The marathon will feature four categories, 5K, 10K, 21K half marathon and 42K full marathon.
Speaking at the launch, Africell Sierra Leone Media Manager Abdul Karim Sesay reaffirmed the company’s continued support for Street Child and its initiatives aimed at improving the lives of children across the country.
He said Africell is proud to continue its partnership with Street Child, noting that the collaboration over the years had supported vulnerable children and communities while providing platforms to amplify children’s voices and promote education and development.
He said Africell had consistently supported Street Child’s efforts to reach communities and improve the lives of children across Sierra Leone. He described the marathon as more than a sporting event, saying it represented concern for children, their education and empowerment.
Abdul Karim Sesay said Africell would provide technical, media and graphic design support to promote this year’s marathon and encourage wider participation. He also encouraged journalists and other stakeholders to use their platforms to raise awareness about the event and the importance of supporting children’s education and physical wellbeing.
On his remarks, Street Child Sierra Leone Country Director Emmanuel Kelfa Kargbo highlighted the marathon’s role in supporting children while promoting healthy living among participants.
He said the marathon is not only a sporting event but also a platform for Street Child to showcase its work and encourage support for children facing challenges in accessing education.
He disclosed that Street Child is approaching the completion of 55 schools across the country as part of its efforts to improve access to education.
According to him, he said this year’s marathon had already attracted more than 1,000 participants even before its official launch. He said the organisation is considering how to accommodate increased participation as interest in the event continued to grow.
The Street Child Country Director encouraged people of different ages and abilities to participate, noting that those unable to run could walk. He said participation could contribute to individual health while supporting Street Child’s work to improve children’s access to education.
He cited communities where children face difficulties reaching schools, including situations where they have to cross rivers and walk long distances. He said such experiences reinforced the importance of ensuring that every child has an opportunity to access education.
National Race Manager of the Sierra Leone Athletes Association, Ibrahim Moses Kargbo commended Street Child for organising the marathon, describing it as an important platform for promoting athletics, healthy lifestyles and the development of sporting talent.
He said the event had also created opportunities for athletes to develop through competitive running. Reflecting on his involvement with the marathon since 2017, he said two athletes he worked with participated in the event and subsequently achieved notable success.
He explained that the athletes initially competed in the 5K before progressing to the 10K, with their development eventually leading to their representation of Sierra Leone at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Ibrahim Moses Kargbo said the experience demonstrated the opportunities that the marathon could provide for young athletes. He commended Street Child’s continued support for athletics and expressed his willingness to strengthen collaboration between the organisation and the Sierra Leone Athletes Association.
On his statement, Afrimoney Marketing Director, John Konteh encouraged members of the public to participate in the marathon, saying the event promotes healthy living, networking and support for children’s education.
He said participants should take part according to their abilities, noting that those unable to run could walk.
He explained that registration could be completed through Afrimoney by dialing *161*4# and entering the marathon merchant code 760817. Participants would then select their preferred race category and complete payment using their Afrimoney PIN.
He said registration fees is Le40 for the 5K, Le50 for the 10K, Le60 for the half marathon and Le75 for the full marathon.
He said successful registration would generate a transaction ID, which participants should keep as it would be required when collecting their marathon race materials from designated Street Child locations.
He further encouraged participants to remain physically active through activities such as walking and running, saying the marathon provided an opportunity to promote healthier lifestyles while contributing to a cause focused on children’s education.
The 13th Edition of the Sierra Leone Street Child Marathon will take place in Makeni on Sunday 25 October 2026, with participants expected to compete across the 5K, 10K, 21K half marathon and 42K full marathon categories.
BEIJING, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) — The story of China-U.S. friendship is written by the people, and the future of China-U.S. relations is shaped by the youth.
In late 2023, China announced a program to invite 50,000 American youths to China in the next five years for exchanges and study.
Over the past three years, China has hosted more than 50,000 young Americans for exchanges and study visits, hitting the five-year target set in 2023. The U.S. young visitors, from the country’s 50 states and Washington, D.C., reached across China’s 31 provincial-level regions as well as Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. They participated in activities as diverse as learning languages, summer and winter camps, sports competitions, and academic studies for credits or degrees.
The exchanges bridged information gaps, strengthened goodwill and contributed to stable, healthy and sustainable bilateral ties.
Via interactions, young people from both countries have reached out to one another, deepened mutual understanding and built lasting friendships, opening a new chapter in people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States.
Students from the United States learn Chinese ancient poems at a school in Shijiazhuang, north China’s Hebei Province, April 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Lu Ye)An American student from U.S. state Iowa experiences Qixi traditions during a cultural event at Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School in Shijiazhuang, north China’s Hebei Province, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xiao)Members of a delegation of high school students from the U.S. state of Washington experience China’s school life at Shenzhen Nanshan Foreign Language Senior High School in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province, March 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)Members of a delegation of high school students from the U.S. state of Washington experience Chinese calligraphy at Shenzhen Nanshan Foreign Language Senior High School in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province, March 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)Chinese and American youth in traditional Chinese costumes, taking part in the “Across the Pacific: China-U.S. Youth Dialogue for a Shared Future” exchange program, pose for a group photo in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, July 14, 2025. (China International Communications Group Center for the Americas/Handout via Xinhua)A Chinese student introduces Cantonese food to members of a delegation of high school students from the U.S. state of Washington at Yongqingfang in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, March 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)A member of the Whiffenpoofs a cappella choir of Yale University and a member of a local choir sing together at Zhaoxing Dong Village of Liping County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, March 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)Chinese and American young musicians perform during a joint concert themed “Youth Dialogue for the Future” in New York, the United States, on June 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)Teenagers from China and the United States sing during a closing performance of Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival in Beijing, capital of China, July 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Ye)Students from Muscatine High School in the U.S. state of Iowa practice an ethnic dance with Chinese students at the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University in Beijing, capital of China, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Liu Zunshuan/Xinhua)Members of Chinese and U.S. youth football teams compete in a friendship match in Urumqi, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 8, 2026. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)Students of Lincoln High School of the U.S. state of Washington and Beijing National Day School take selfies during the NFL FLAG China-U.S. Youth Flag Football Exchange Event & Lincoln High School 2025 China Tour in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li He)American and Chinese young people exchange martial arts skills in Fuzhou, southeast China’s Fujian Province, Dec. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)American youths from Elon University in the United States participate in a friendly game of ping-pong with Chinese peers at the Stilwell Museum in southwest China’s Chongqing, on Jan. 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)Members of China’s national table tennis team interact with American students from La Salle College Preparatory in Los Angeles, the United States, July 6, 2026. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)An American student (R) from Muscatine High School in the U.S. state of Iowa poses for a photo with a Chinese student at Shijiazhuang Zoo in Shijiazhuang, north China’s Hebei Province, April 21, 2024. (Photo by Liu Zunshuan/Xinhua)Chinese and Amercian students perform at the opening ceremony of the 14th China-U.S. Tourism Leadership Summit in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, May 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)■
