By Musa Paul Feika
As part of its digital financial inclusion drive, Orange Money has partnered with Sierra Leone Insurance Company (SLICO) to improve Sierra Leoneans’ lives. With the new partnership, licence fee could be paid through Orange Money SL #144*3*10# and select 2 for motor insurance and enter policy number.
For years gone by, Orange Money has been offering financial services to the people of Sierra Leone.
Speaking during the ceremony, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Orange Money, David Mansaray touched on the quality service his institution offers to the people.
As a result of digitalization, the CEO went on, Sierra Leoneans could pay their insurance covers or licences through Orange Money with their mobile phones. He said he was happy and pleased with SLICO and other insurance companies adding that it was a partnership Sierra Leoneans look up to.
Sierra Leoneans, he said, wanted to be in a position to execute tasks and activities easy and appreciated the role of all the players who made it possible for the project disclosing that the integration was important.
He said it was one step forward in improving financial inclusion as an ordinary Sierra Leone will get access to finance services.
“When once one gets access to finance services, it will put them into a better place at the time of misfortune,” he stressed.
Orange Money motor insurance, according to the CEO, covers or licences is not going to be the end and encouraged other insurance companies to embrace digital financial inclusion for making lives easy.
SLICO president, Raymond Mansaray said he was happy with the ground-breaking digital revolution and collaboration integration with Orange Money.
He said the collaboration was a new era for financial inclusion in the lives of Sierra Leoneans. He assured that people do not need smart phones to pay their insurance covers, but they can use simple or manual phones.
The initiative, the SLICO president said would enhance the culture of financial responsibility. He also appreciated Orange Money team for their unwavering effort in ensuring financial digitalisation in strengthening Sierra Leone’s financial inclusion and urged Sierra Leoneans to embrace the process.
In his address, Ambassador Alie Bangura said Orange Money had emerged as reliable, secure and accessible financial services to Sierra Leoneans.
Mr. Bangura was excited about financial digitalisation as life as monetary transactions have been eased.
“Gone are the days when people had to move to neighbouring countries to pay their insurance licences,” he said adding that within ten months Sierra Leone had achieved what other African countries had not done.
Out of 14 countries, Ambassador Bangura said, only four countries including Sierra Leone had attained ECOWAS benchmark.
He commended those who contributed immensely to the success of the project and prayed for proper implementation.
Director of National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) also expressed appreciation for the digital transformation of financial transaction in Sierra Leone which he sees as key government agenda.