AYV News, June 9, 2025
Access, Inclusion and Growth – Deepening Digital Payments in Sierra Leone.”
The event brought together a cross-section of Sierra Leone’s financial services ecosystem, including banks, fintech startups, regulators, microfinance institutions, mobile money operators, and members of the media, for a conversation that transcended product launches and panel discussions.
It sparked collective action toward a more financially inclusive Sierra Leone.
At the heart of this gathering lies a shared imperative — to foster a more inclusive economy by expanding formal financial access to a broader segment of Sierra Leone’s population. While meaningful progress is underway, many still navigate daily life without reliable access to financial services.
Delivering the keynote address titled “Building on Progress: Expanding Access, Driving Inclusion, and Fueling Growth for National Prosperity,” Akeem Lawal, Managing Director, Payment Processing and Switching (Interswitch Purepay), reinforced the company’s commitment to co-creating value in the markets it serves.
“Financial inclusion goes beyond launching more apps or issuing more cards, it’s about solving real problems with solutions that are scalable, secure, and grounded in local realities. Since the first edition of the Fintech Forum, Sierra Leone has made clear progress, with strong mobile penetration and a forward-looking Central Bank. What’s needed now is execution that is sustained, coordinated, and responsive to the realities on the ground.
Access remains uneven, infrastructure is still evolving, and in many rural communities, cash continues to dominate everyday transactions. Bridging this gap requires collaborative effort, and that’s precisely what this forum seeks to advance.
Events like the Interswitch Fintech Forum matter because they bring together those actively working to solve these challenges. More than just a platform for discussion, the forum will serve as a catalyst for meaningful action and tangible progress.
Interswitch’s entry into the Sierra Leonean market is timely. With over two decades of experience driving Africa’s digital payments evolution, the company’s expansion signals a broader shift in how regional players are approaching scale, access, and long-term presence.
While mobile wallets and digital platforms continue to proliferate across the continent, the real challenge lies in ensuring these tools are not only available but usable, trusted, and accessible, particularly in underserved communities where traditional banking infrastructure is limited or non-existent.
A key highlight of the event was a live demonstration of Interswitch’s Card Issuance Solution and the Agency Banking solution. For those unfamiliar with the model, agency banking essentially brings banking closer to the people through local agents equipped with tech-enabled tools.
These agents enable customers to carry out essential financial services such as withdrawals, deposits, bill payments, and transfers, without having to travel long distances to a physical bank branch. In markets where agency banking has gained traction, it has helped in demystifying financial systems, offering human touchpoints that ease the transition into formal digital finance.
Technology is not the only reason this forum stands out; equally significant is the regulatory environment in which it is unfolding. The Bank of Sierra Leone has articulated a clear vision, one that recognises digital financial services as essential to the country’s economic resilience.
In expressing its willingness to collaborate with credible private-sector stakeholders, the Central Bank is not only opening the door to innovation but also emphasising the importance of stability and accountability. This clarity provides fintech players with the confidence to explore new solutions, while setting a high standard for sustainable, responsible growth.
As Sierra Leone advances its digital financial agenda, the upcoming Interswitch Fintech Forum highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration in driving sustainable impact. For Interswitch, the event signals more than market penetration and expansion, it affirms a strategic commitment to supporting the country’s financial transformation journey.
By bringing together key players across the ecosystem, the forum is poised to set the stage for long-term partnerships, scalable innovation, and inclusive growth, all critical pillars for building a resilient, future-ready financial landscape.
The event featured a series of insightful panel discussions, interactive question-and-answer sessions, and networking opportunities, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across the ecosystem. As mobile connectivity expands and Sierra Leone’s digital agenda accelerates, the forum provided a timely platform to align actors, surface practical solutions, and build collective momentum toward a more inclusive financial system.
The Sierra Leone Fintech Forum reaffirmed Interswitch’s role as a catalyst for digital finance transformation in the region and across the continent. As the financial landscape continues to evolve, the company remains committed to supporting the country’s financial inclusion goals through innovation, shared infrastructure, and strategic partnerships that power a more inclusive, digital and future-ready economy.
