By Hassan I. Conteh

The largest mobile network operator in Sierra Leone, Africell, has unveiled a new Subscribers’ Call and digital training centre at Wilkinson Road in Freetown.

The mobile Call Up Centre has a special digital hub with computers bearing on their desktops “Africell Impact Foundation,” which is Africell social development windfall.

The Call Up Centre, which was opened Monday 14th April, 2025, is dubbed as State of the Art Africell New Learning & Training Centre.

The mobile company’s CEO, Mr. Shadi Al-Gerjawi, confirms that the centre is already opened for operation this week.

He added, “in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication and Technology about 250 participants from all backgrounds will be empowered with ICT training programs.”

“This initiative reflects our shared vision for bridging the digital divide in Sierra Leone,” he said.

“Our aim is to leave no one behind, our contribution to education has been consistent and impactable.”

Mr. Al-Gerjawi said with their latest Africell’s DigiTruck, they were able to empower 500 school girls with social marketing skills across the country, adding that 60 female entrepreneurs in Makeni, Kenema, received ICT training in   marketing skills.

He said the launch of the new learning hub serves as their “key strategic investments” in the future of Sierra Leone technology.

He is sure that that will provide access to students and entrepreneurs access to digital learning opportunities.

“Today, we’ve taken another step in our journey to deliver on that dream.”

“We are enriching investments in social development through our Africell’s Impact Foundation.”

Africell’s CEO said at Africell they believe communication is not “all about connectivity; it is about empowerment, inclusion and a sustainable impact and commitments to our subscribers.”

Speaking at the launching event was the Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Madam Salima Bah.

Madam Bah said as government they acknowledge Africell’s contributions toward government’s employment scheme. Adding that they believe that the digital economy plays a key role to ensure that government’s succeeds in its drive for technology transformation in the country.

“Africell’s continued commitments towards their Corporate Social Reponsibility (CSR)  to the citizens is really commendable.”

As a ministry, she said they recognized that their [Africell ] commitments contribute to national development plan and agenda.

She added that “government is moving towards digital transformation but in doing that critical aspects of digital skills enhancements are needed for the workforce.

Currently, she said government is struggling to train the current public sector workers and so while they are working to doing that Africell is already working to ensure that they both succeed as government and as their key private sector partner.

Minister Salima Bah said they want to making sure that the “new generation coming in” is coming into work with those skills required of them.

“So we want to catch them when they are young, when they are in school, when they are in universities.”

Also, National Communications Authority (NatCA)’s Deputy Director General, Mrs. Maama Seiwoh – Koroma praised the initiative by Africell that it “embodies digital access to education, adding that ” digital literacy is no longer optional; it is essential,”she said.

The learning centre will serve as gateway to many opportunities, she said.

She went on “it will give individuals the tools to strive in the” digital age.”

Mrs Koroma said NatCA firmly believes that in an ecosystem where technology is not only accessible to people but it is also empowering.

“This initiative aligns perfectly with our shared vision and we are ready to give our support to Africell.”