As part of its financial inclusion drive, ‘Pay Me With Orange Money’ is the new service availed to riders and market women by Orange Money. With the new service, passengers will now pay riders via Orange Orange Money although the old model of payment is never ruled out.
Market women will also move towards the same direction. No problem of reversals as no one can interfere with the system. Riders or market women can withdraw NLe100 or Le100, 000 (one hundred thousand Leones) a day free of cost as nothing will be deducted.
The new service was launched yesterday at the newly constructed BRU (Bike Riders Union) headquarters in Freetown. The launching was witnessed by personalities from different walks of life including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Orange Sierra Leone (OSL), Sekou Ahmadu Bah. Market women as well as representatives from the Drivers Union were also present.
To ensure that the new service works, tags worn by commercial motorists display steps one goes through to carry out the Orange Money transaction with *889# being the first step. Passengers can pay via Orange Money at any point they alight, and the service works either in the city or in the provinces.
Speaking at the ceremony, OSL Women’s President, Martha Sumaila described the launching as a reach-out strategy adding that “Orange Money is here for the riders.”
While appealing to the riders to work with Orange Money, Martha looked back at recent history as the partnership was launched in August last year at OSL headquarters in Freetown. Orange Money during the launching pleaged to construct the new edifice which is now a success story.
“We started the journey about a year ago, and today the building has been completed. A befitting space has been given to the union, and we are here again to ensure that fares are paid via Orange Money,” the OSL President informed the audience.
In the new partnership, commercial motorists (okada riders) are the vehicles through which Orange Money service is taken to the last and least village thereby reaching hard-to-reach communities.
The riders and the traders are also seen as points of sale for Orange Money, and it is hoped that work would be made easy if the potentials of riders and market women are well tapped. Head of Marketing and Strategy, Abibatu Baxter said with the new partnership, Orange Money was no more far away from the bike riders adding that their vision was to ensure that people do not go out with physical money owing to the risks involved.
“when a bike rider takes a passenger, you tell them that I operate Orange Money, and the passenger will instantly pay with the click of a button. We want to ensure easy financial transaction in Sierra Leone,” she assured.
With the new service, she went on, the rider could safely keep his money in the wallet and pay for several services. Commitment to the new partnership will not go without big wins. “A rider or trader can be awarded with a big prize at anytime as the partnership goes along,” Abibatu assured.
In his address, BRU president, Mohamed Tallie Bah saw the completion of the new building as “a great success story.”
He pledged his cooperation with Orange Money making it clear that the message will reach the last rider. Looking at the partnership from the business front, Mr Bah said they were on the profit side.
“We (riders) are on the profit side; we have nothing to lose,” he said. The BRU president reiterated his call for riders to work in close partnership with Orange Money since they have more years in the union and that the new initiative belongs to them.
“One day, I will go, but the building will remain,” he stressed.
Delivering his keynote address with confidence, pride and smile, CEO for OSL, Sekou Ahmadu Bah expressed joy for such a wonderful achievement during his tenure. Although elated for a dream come true, he attributed the success to his staff and the bike riders. “Today is not my day, it is a day for my staff and the bike riders,” he congratulated them for their hard work.
The CEO elicited total cooperation from the riders to make the project fruitful. “It is a successful journey and let us work together to make the project successful,” he appealed.
Cutting of the tape and touring the building formed part of the ceremony. OSL’s new move is one in a latest stream of partnerships which Orange Money has built with reputable institutions over the years.
Orange Money has partnered with local councils and universities for the collection of revenues and fees respectively. The partnerships are bearing good fruits as a win-win situation exists for the institutions.
Apart from the BRU partnership, Orange Money will soon establish ties with other agencies to make Sierra Leone a digital economy.