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.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his wife Entissar El-Sisi in Cairo, Egypt, Sept. 2, 2026. Xi held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)
CAIRO, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday raised a four-point proposal on building a new security architecture in the Middle East via upholding a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.
In his talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Xi said China supports countries in the region in developing good-neighborly and friendly relations.
To promote common security in the region, Xi said that efforts should be made to foster the internal driving force for common security in the region.
People in the Middle East should remain masters of their own affairs, and external interference should be rejected, Xi said, noting that China supports regional countries in strengthening dialogue on peace and security, exploring the building of a new security architecture for the Middle East, and taking their future into their own hands.
Xi said that a comprehensive approach should be adopted to advance common security in the region and that given the multiple hotspots in the Middle East and their close interconnections, comprehensive solutions should be pursued.
The Palestinian issue remains at the core of the Middle East question and should never be overlooked or marginalized, he added.
The foundation for common security should be strengthened through development, Xi said, noting that lasting peace and stability in the Middle East fundamentally depend on development.
China stands ready to work with Middle East countries to safeguard the security of international shipping lanes, advance development cooperation, promote the convergence of interests of regional countries, gradually enhance mutual trust, and eliminate the root causes of the conflict, he said.
Xi urged that international coordination for common security in the region should be strengthened, and the UN Charter and international law should serve as the fundamental principles for handling Middle East affairs.
The international community, especially external powers, should abandon double standards in the Middle East, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of regional countries, and safeguard regional peace and stability, Xi added.
He also urged support for the United Nations’ effective role in Middle East affairs.
Sisi said that Egypt highly appreciates China’s consistent, objective, and impartial stance on the Middle East question, noting that Egypt is committed to promoting de-escalation in the region, resolving conflicts and differences through political means, and advancing regional security and development.
Egypt stands ready to continue strengthening coordination with China to ease tensions in the Middle East, safeguard regional stability, and explore a regional security architecture, Sisi said. ■
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a welcome ceremony held by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi prior to their talks in Cairo, Egypt, Sept. 2, 2026. Xi held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a welcome ceremony held by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi prior to their talks in Cairo, Egypt, Sept. 2, 2026. Xi held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his wife Entissar El-Sisi in Cairo, Egypt, Sept. 2, 2026. Xi held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo, Egypt, Sept. 2, 2026. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo, Egypt, Sept. 2, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
Xi said the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership has achieved leapfrog development in recent years under the guidance of the two heads of state. In the talks, Xi raised a four-point proposal on building a new security architecture in the Middle East, saying that China supports countries in the region in developing good-neighborly and friendly relations.
CAIRO, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on China and Egypt to support each other, deepen cooperation, and continue advancing the building of a China-Egypt community with a shared future amid a turbulent international and regional landscape.
Xi made the remarks during his talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, while emphasizing China’s support for regional countries in building a new security architecture in the Middle East via upholding a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.
ENHANCING BILATERAL EXCHANGES, COOPERATION
Noting that Egypt was the first Arab and African nation to establish diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China in 1956, Xi said that the older-generation leaders of the two countries led their peoples in fighting side by side for national independence and against imperialism and colonialism, forging an unbreakable bond of friendship.
Over the past seven decades, China-Egypt relations have weathered challenges and developed distinctive features of equality and mutual trust, friendship and mutual learning, solidarity and mutual support, as well as win-win cooperation, he said.
Xi said the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership has achieved leapfrog development in recent years under the guidance of the two heads of state. The two sides share similar views and have closely aligned strategies in pursuing development and revitalization, improving people’s well-being, and upholding international fairness and justice, he added.
Xi emphasized that China and Egypt should firmly support each other, maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, enhance exchanges and cooperation in all fields and at all levels, and strengthen exchanges and mutual learning on governance experience.
Xi said the two sides should promote mutually beneficial cooperation, better align their development strategies, tap the potential for cooperation in traditional fields such as infrastructure development, power, agriculture and communications technology, and foster new highlights of cooperation in green energy, electric vehicles, aerospace, the digital economy and modern agricultural technology.
The two sides should promote people-to-people exchanges, comprehensively expand exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, science and technology, health, sports and other fields, and facilitate personnel exchanges and enhance people-to-people bonds, Xi said.
The two sides should strengthen security cooperation, jointly combat transnational crime, deepen international cooperation in anti-corruption, firmly support each other’s anti-terror efforts, and safeguard their common security, Xi said.
The two sides should strengthen multilateral collaboration, further enhance coordination and cooperation on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and the BRICS, jointly promote the development of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, jointly oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and promote a more just and equitable global governance system, Xi said.
For his part, Sisi welcomed Xi’s historic state visit to Egypt on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Sisi said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral ties have developed in a sound and steady manner, and cooperation across various fields has yielded fruitful results.
Egypt firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is committed to further advancing the Egypt-China comprehensive strategic partnership, Sisi added.
Egypt is ready to work with China to deepen cooperation in trade and investment, manufacturing, infrastructure development, finance, science and technology, and new energy, strengthen military and security exchanges, and promote closer people-to-people exchanges, so as to benefit the two peoples and contribute to regional development and prosperity, Sisi said.
Sisi said China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, plays an important and constructive role in international affairs. Egypt is ready to strengthen coordination with China at multilateral platforms, jointly address global challenges, and work together to uphold international fairness and justice, he added.
The two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents on Belt and Road cooperation, artificial intelligence, economic and trade, and industrial and supply chain cooperation.
The two sides also issued a joint statement on further deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership, and signed more than 20 cooperation documents covering such areas as digital economy, science and technology, education, and transportation.
NEW REGIONAL SECURITY ARCHITECTURE
In the talks, Xi raised a four-point proposal on building a new security architecture in the Middle East, saying that China supports countries in the region in developing good-neighborly and friendly relations.
To promote common security in the region, Xi said that efforts should be made to foster the internal driving force for common security in the region.
People in the Middle East should remain masters of their own affairs, and external interference should be rejected, Xi said, noting that China supports regional countries in strengthening dialogue on peace and security, exploring the building of a new security architecture for the Middle East, and taking their future into their own hands.
Xi said that a comprehensive approach should be adopted to advance common security in the region and that given the multiple hotspots in the Middle East and their close interconnections, comprehensive solutions should be pursued.
The Palestinian issue remains at the core of the Middle East question and should never be overlooked or marginalized, he added.
The foundation for common security should be strengthened through development, Xi said, noting that lasting peace and stability in the Middle East fundamentally depend on development.
China stands ready to work with Middle East countries to safeguard the security of international shipping lanes, advance development cooperation, promote the convergence of interests of regional countries, gradually enhance mutual trust, and eliminate the root causes of the conflict, he said.
Xi urged that international coordination for common security in the region should be strengthened, and the UN Charter and international law should serve as the fundamental principles for handling Middle East affairs.
The international community, especially external powers, should abandon double standards in the Middle East, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of regional countries, and safeguard regional peace and stability, Xi added.
He also urged support for the United Nations’ effective role in Middle East affairs.
Sisi said that Egypt highly appreciates China’s consistent, objective, and impartial stance on the Middle East question, noting that Egypt is committed to promoting de-escalation in the region, resolving conflicts and differences through political means, and advancing regional security and development.
Egypt stands ready to continue strengthening coordination with China to ease tensions in the Middle East, safeguard regional stability, and explore a regional security architecture, Sisi said.
Rokel Commercial Bank (RCB) has announced important changes to the accounts and cheque books of former Union Trust Bank (UTB) customers who have been successfully onboarded onto the RCB banking system.
In a press release dated August 31, 2026, RCB Management said the changes form part of the integration process following the migration of former UTB customers onto its platform.
According to the bank, all former UTB account numbers have now been migrated to new RCB account numbers.
The bank has therefore advised affected customers to visit their nearest RCB branch or contact the RCB Customer Care Center to obtain their new account details.
The announcement is expected to affect customers who may still be using their former UTB account numbers for transactions and other banking purposes.
RCB also announced the redistribution of new RCB-branded cheque books to former UTB customers.
The bank said customers would be notified through SMS or telephone calls regarding when and where they can collect their replacement cheque books.
For customers requiring urgent cheque-related transactions before receiving their new cheque books, RCB advised them to visit their respective branches with valid identification documents for assistance.
The bank acknowledged that the transition could cause inconvenience to some customers and expressed regret over any difficulties arising from the integration process.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and cooperation during this transition,” the bank stated.
RCB reaffirmed its commitment to providing customers with secure, reliable and improved banking services as the integration process continues.
The bank encouraged former UTB customers requiring additional information or assistance to visit any RCB branch nationwide.
The latest announcement comes as affected customers adjust to the banking changes associated with their onboarding onto the RCB system, particularly the need to obtain new account details and replace former UTB cheque books.
RCB’s notice underscores the importance for former UTB customers to verify their new account numbers before initiating transactions to avoid possible errors or disruptions.
For most children, summer is a time for fun and adventure. For dozens of young Sierra Leoneans, however, it became an opportunity to explore technology, unlock their creativity, and discover talents they never knew they had.
Smiles, excitement, and a sense of achievement filled the Orange Digital Centre on Friday, August 28, 2026, as Orange Foundation Sierra Leone celebrated the successful completion of its Next Gen Summer Camp 2026. The certification ceremony brought together children aged 7 to 15, proud parents, trainers, and invited guests to celebrate the remarkable journey of young learners who spent weeks developing skills in coding, web development, and 3D design.
What began on August 4 2026 as a summer learning programme quickly evolved into an inspiring experience that transformed curious children into confident young innovators. Beyond learning technical skills, participants were encouraged to think creatively, solve problems, work collaboratively, and bring their ideas to life.
One of the highlights of the programme was the coding class, where participants learned to use Scratch, a programming language developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Through teamwork and imagination, the children created interactive stories, animations, and games. Their pride was evident as they presented projects such as “Flying Carrots,” an engaging game that demonstrated their growing understanding of coding concepts while showcasing their creativity and problem-solving abilities.
The web development participants also impressed attendees with projects inspired by their interests and ambitions. Their websites reflected a wide range of ideas, including a platform promoting Sierra Leonean fashion and culture, an e-commerce site, a football information portal, an educational flashcard platform, and a website designed to help beginners learn coding. Each project told a story about the children’s passions and their vision for how technology can connect, educate, and inspire others.
Perhaps the most remarkable moments came from the 3D Modelling and Printing class, where young participants demonstrated how technology can be used to address everyday challenges. Their creations included a rainwater filtration system and a self-watering flower vase, innovative solutions that reflected both practical thinking and a desire to make a positive impact in their communities.
As the children confidently presented their projects, parents watched with pride and admiration. For many families, seeing their children publicly demonstrate skills they had acquired in just a few weeks was both emotional and inspiring. The presentations showcased not only technical knowledge but also growing confidence, communication skills, and the courage to share ideas with others.
The celebration extended beyond technology, featuring performances by participants that added joy and energy to the event. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, applause, and a shared sense of accomplishment as families and guests celebrated the achievements of the young innovators.
The success of the programme reflects Orange Foundation Sierra Leone’s continued commitment to digital inclusion and youth empowerment. By providing access to technology and hands-on learning opportunities, the Foundation is helping young people develop the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world while nurturing the next generation of innovators, creators, and problem-solvers.
For the participants, receiving a certificate was more than recognition for their hard work. It represented the beginning of a new journey filled with possibilities. Many left the programme with bigger dreams, greater confidence, and a newfound interest in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Through initiatives such as the Next Gen Summer Camp, Orange Foundation Sierra Leone continues to invest in the potential of young people, proving that when children are given the opportunity to learn, create, and innovate, they can become the architects of a brighter and more digitally empowered future for Sierra Leone.
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers an important speech during the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
BISHKEK, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday put forward a four-point proposal at the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek.
In his speech at the summit, Xi said this year marks the 25th founding anniversary of the SCO. He pointed out that 25 years ago, safeguarding sovereignty, security and development interests became a shared consensus among countries in the region in the face of the profound lessons of the Cold War, the real threat posed by the “three evil forces,” as well as the strong aspirations of people in various countries for peace and development.
The SCO thus emerged, and the organization has increasingly demonstrated its strong vitality and dynamism, Xi added.
Over the past 25 years, the SCO has gone through an extraordinary journey, Xi said, noting that its most significant achievement has been its gradual transformation into a new type of regional cooperation organization that spans the largest geographical area, represents the largest population, and possesses enormous development potential in the world.
The SCO’s most valuable spiritual asset is the pioneering proposal and steadfast adherence to the “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development, he said.
The SCO’s most important experience for cooperation is that it has found the right way of coexistence featuring non-alliances, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party, while bringing countries in the region together to build a common home, he added.
Xi said that 25 years on, as profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating, the rivalry is intensifying between dialogue and confrontation, win-win cooperation and zero-sum, and multilateralism and unilateralism, and the shadow of war continues to haunt the world.
At the crossroads concerning the future of humanity, the SCO should shoulder its historic responsibility and take the initiative in steering the course of history, he said.
Xi called on the SCO to stay committed to putting development first, and open up the prospects for shared prosperity.
The SCO, Xi said, should champion a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, consolidate cooperation in traditional areas such as trade and investment, connectivity, energy and resources, and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, green industry and green mining.
China sees the SCO as a priority area for the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road and implementation of the Global Development Initiative, and will continue to host events such as the SCO Digital Economy Forum and the SCO Agricultural Expo, Xi said.
China will also establish an international cooperation center on AI applications for SCO countries, set up a China-SCO port economy cooperation center in Tianjin, and jointly implement 100 technological cooperation projects with SCO countries over the next three years, Xi added.
Xi urged the SCO to stay committed to taking security as a key goal, and foster an environment of common security.
The SCO should coordinate to counter traditional and non-traditional security threats, combat the “three evil forces,” transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and telecommunications fraud, strengthen cooperation on information security, bio-security and outer space security, and guard against external forces from interfering in the internal affairs, endangering political security and undermining regional stability, Xi noted.
Xi said China stands ready to work with all parties to act on the vision of a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and build the SCO into an important platform for implementing the Global Security Initiative.
China supports the early opening of the SCO’s “four security centers” so as to enhance the capacity of member countries to address security threats and challenges, Xi said.
Xi also called on the grouping to put people first, and cement the foundation for everlasting friendship.
The SCO should take into account the characteristics of each member state’s history, culture, social system and development stage, build cooperation networks between legislatures, political parties, schools, think tanks, enterprises and media, promote people-to-people exchanges, and inject vitality into the good-neighborliness and friendship among member states, he said.
China is willing to work with all parties to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, and supports a greater role of the SCO Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission and other organizations of friendly people-to-people exchanges, Xi said.
The Chinese side will set up a China-SCO basic education cooperation center, and continue to build bridges for exchanges and mutual learning as well as people-to-people connectivity through such programs as Confucius Institutes and Luban Workshops, he added.
Xi also urged the SCO to promote dialogue and consultation, and strive for more equitable and orderly governance.
He stressed that the SCO should always advocate that all countries, regardless of their size, are equal, and that regional affairs should be discussed by all countries to bridge differences and build consensus, properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation, and meet common challenges through multilateral coordination.
China supports the SCO in setting an example in cooperation to implement the Global Governance Initiative, Xi said, calling for continued efforts to improve the SCO’s operational mechanisms, and enhance the efficiency of its decision-making and execution.
More like-minded countries are welcome to become SCO partners to join the effort to improve regional and global governance, he said.
Xi stressed that China is ready to work with all parties to continue to uphold the banner of the “Shanghai Spirit,” implement the SCO’s development strategy for the next decade, strive for higher quality development, and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for humanity. ■
Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 1, 2026. Xi attended the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)
Chinese President Xi Jinping poses for a group photo with leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 1, 2026. Xi attended the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO held here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)
Chinese President Xi Jinping leaves after attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit and a state visit to Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)
BISHKEK, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping left on Tuesday the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek after attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit and a state visit to the Central Asian country. ■
Chinese President Xi Jinping leaves after attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit and a state visit to Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yaguang)
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers an important speech during the “Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus” meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
BISHKEK, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to shoulder the responsibility of the times and work together to advance a more just and equitable global governance system.
Xi made the remarks while addressing the “SCO Plus” meeting in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek. ■
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a group photo session during a welcome banquet held by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov ahead of the “Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus” meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 1, 2026. Xi attended the “SCO Plus” meeting and delivered an important speech here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)
CITY HUNTER NEWSPAPER 