By- Aruna Rashed Toma Bangura
One of the leading telecommunication companies, QCell SL has on Thursday 4th May, 2023 launched its new product called Qmoney at their Headquarters on Wilkinson road, Freetown.
The Qmoney product is to ease the burden of mobile money transaction on their customers by making it seamless by simply dialing *323# which is fast, safe, secure and convenient.
In his statement, the Chief Executive Officer of QCell Sierra Leone, Jayamani Karthik told journalists that it was a very important day for QCell Company, adding that the company started its operation in Sierra Leone since 2019 and is part of the Q group. He said three years since they started operation; the company now has 350 sites across the nation. “I am here to congratulate the financial sector of Q group,” he said and that the launched of the Q product will help QCell to break barriers and acquire new customers.
The Group Head of Qmoney, Alieu Njai said the long wait is over and very hopeful that it was worth the wait. He said that he is very delighted to be part of the mobile money launching because their customers were asking about QCell money services. “We have lot of experience in mobile money and the knowledge and good practice will be transferred here,” he assured, adding that they want their customers to trust them with their fund and to see QCell as a bank and reliable partner for customers. He furthered that for quite a number of month, they have been working on the background to get Qmoney with an expansive and reliable agent network. “We are known for innovation and we believe in our product, service and network and are very confident to make a difference in the market,” he stated and added that COVID-19 delayed the launch of their Qmoney product. And in the Gambia, Qmoney a key partner in the financial inclusion strategy and are very keen to be partner with the Bank of Sierra Leone.
The Group Head of Qmoney, Alieu Njai said the ‘Kash Boks’ is a safe place to keep your money and assured that their service is safe and convenient and believe that convenient is key. He disclosed that all QCell customer sites have been fully trained on Qmoney.
The Group CFO of Qmoney, Nayan Dhapt said he was expressing gratitude from the financial point of view, adding that different countries across the world are leading a cashless lifestyle. He noted that transaction through transfer and not in physical is very fast, safe and easy.
The Director of Financial Intelligence Unit, Mr. David Boboh recalled that few years back, he met with a cross section of QCell staff and have been very much in doing mobile money service. He said that FIU is monitoring and giving advice on money laundering, adding that the launch of the Qmoney product is a dream comes true.
The representative from the Bank of Sierra Leone, Mr. Ralph Ansumana confirmed that Qmoney SL is licensed to operate mobile money in Sierra Leone and is a legal entity separate from QCell, adding that the bank is expecting Qmoney to comply with financial all financial regulations and to regularly submitting return to the bank. “Within one month or two we are expecting Qmoney to send their returns,” he reiterated and added that the Bank of Sierra Leone is fully supporting Qmoney in the financial inclusion drive.