By: Abdulai Sankoh
In a groundbreaking move to enhance payment accessibility and efficiency, Africell-Sierra Leone and the Freetown City Council (FCC) have announced a strategic partnership that will allow residents and business owners to conveniently pay their property rates and business taxes through the Afri Money mobile platform.
The announcement was made during a press conference held in the Mayor’s Parlour at Freetown City Council, attended by key council officials, representatives from Africell, and members of the media.
In his statement, Martison Obeng-Agyei, CEO of Afri Money, opened with the quotation, “With every right comes a responsibility.” He commended the Mayor and her dedicated team for their tireless efforts, particularly in implementing the “Operation DORTI MUS GO” campaign.
“It takes financial resources to carry out such initiatives. That’s why Freetonians must pay their business taxes and property rates so that the City Council can continue delivering essential services and development projects,” he emphasized. “We should pay for the things we desire so that the Freetown City Council can undertake more transformative projects.”
Mr. Obeng-Agyei further explained that revenue mobilization is critical for the growth and development of local councils, and Africell-SL is committed to using digital technology to simplify the payment process. “We have worked closely with the FCC’s technical team to digitize the payment system, making it easier for residents to fulfill their obligations. I encourage all Freetonians to get an Africell SIM card, register for Afri Money, and make payments comfortably from wherever they are,” he added.
Speaking at the event, the CEO of Africell-SL reaffirmed the company’s commitment to financial inclusion and digital transformation.
“The Afri Money platform is simple and user-friendly. We aim to replace cash transactions with secure digital payments. Our platform already supports payments in restaurants, petrol stations, markets, and transportation — and now with this new partnership, we’re expanding to property rates and business taxes, similar to how we digitalized university fee payments,” he explained.
He concluded by inviting all citizens to join the Afri Money ecosystem, describing it as open and accessible to everyone.
Before officially launching the payment code, Her Worship, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, hailed the partnership as a major milestone for the Council.
“The people of Freetown expect service delivery, and for us to deliver, we need effective revenue mobilization. Initially, we worked with commercial banks to make payments more accessible by deploying cashiers at City Hall. Today, with Afri Money, we are bringing convenience right to Freetonians’ doorsteps,” she stated.
The Mayor urged residents to take full advantage of this new digital payment option, noting that it would not only improve accessibility but also strengthen enforcement and accountability in revenue collection.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr officially launched the new payment system on the Afri Money platform, marking a significant step towards digital transformation in municipal finance.
One of the key benefits highlighted during the event was the increased transparency and efficiency the system brings. By processing payments electronically, the Council can better track and monitor revenue inflows — minimizing fraud, reducing errors, and promoting greater financial accountability in local governance.
