By Alpha Barrie

On Wednesday, April 1st, 2026, Africell Sierra Leone and Afrimoney Sierra Leone signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sierra Leone Basketball Federation (SLBF) at the federation’s Wilberforce headquarters in Freetown. The event marked the official launch of the Afrimoney National Basketball League, a major step forward for the sport in Sierra Leone.

The program, chaired by Alhaji Mansaray, was attended by key stakeholders, including Africell’s CEO, Shadi Al-Gerjawi, and Martison Obeng-Agyei, along with other senior managers from the company.

Africell’s Kamanda Koroma, welcomed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of the partnership, which aims to support the Federation in identifying and developing the next generation of basketball stars in Sierra Leone.

Franklin Nico gave an overview of the league’s structure and the company’s sponsorship commitment. He highlighted that this year’s initiative is an expanded version of their previous sponsorship, with plans to reach every region of Sierra Leone.

“Our sponsorship package is designed to ensure that every region — the North, South, East, and even Freetown — benefits from a dedicated support structure,” Nico explained. “Our aim is to foster the development of basketball nationwide, culminating in a thrilling national final. We want to bring the sport to life, and we want people to be excited about participating. Basketball can be as big as football in Sierra Leone, if not bigger. It generates significant revenue, and through our support, we hope to unearth talent that will represent Sierra Leone globally.”

Nico also shared the company’s long-term vision, including the desire to invest in women’s basketball. “At Africell and Afrimoney, we believe in the power of sport to change lives. Our sponsorship will continue to grow, and we are committed to empowering women through basketball, as we see sport as a critical pathway for societal development.”

“We are not just sponsors; we are partners in this journey,” Nico concluded. “This is just the beginning, and we are committed to growing the sport for years to come. Together, we will build a strong foundation for Sierra Leone’s basketball future.”

Sierra Leone Basketball Federation President, Alie Hijazi, expressed his gratitude for Africell’s continued support, citing the company’s instrumental role in the Federation’s success.

“When I first took on the responsibility of leading the Federation, I reached out to Mr. Shadi at Africell, and he immediately offered his full support,” Hijazi said. “This support has been crucial, particularly in our success on the international stage. For example, we recently placed second in Senegal with our U-16 team, and we won the Zone 2 Championship in Guinea for the first time in history. We even had one of our U-16 players join the NBA Academy in Kigali — a dream we never imagined possible for a Sierra Leonean player.”

Hijazi continued, “This year, with Africell’s support, we’re set to launch the Afrimoney National Basketball League, which promises to be bigger and more exciting than last year. We’re also excited to host an NBA clinic and the NBA 3X3 here in Sierra Leone — events that have never taken place before. This will be an incredible opportunity for local players to learn from the best and gain exposure.”

Hijazi also acknowledged the importance of Africell’s financial support, particularly in the logistics and operations of running a national league. “Running a basketball league is no small feat. It requires significant resources, and Africell’s backing has made it possible for us to move forward,” he said. “Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

The collaboration between Africell, Afrimoney, and the Sierra Leone Basketball Federation represents a new era for basketball in Sierra Leone, with hopes of inspiring a new generation of athletes who will go on to achieve success on the international stage.