By Alvin Lansana Kargbo

Over 200 media professionals on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, converged at a high-profile “Chop and Chat” Media Engagement hosted by Afrimoney, marking the official launch of its innovative “Tap 2 Pay” card, a new digital payment solution designed to transform transactions across the country, while also setting the stage for broader financial innovations aimed at strengthening both the media sector and key areas of the national economy, including transportation.

The event, described as one of the largest gatherings of media practitioners in Sierra Leone this year, brought together journalists, editors, broadcasters and communication experts to engage directly with Afrimoney on its expanding mobile money services and its role in driving economic growth and financial inclusion, with strong emphasis placed on the intersection between media sustainability and economic empowerment.

At the center of the engagement was the unveiling of the “Tap 2 Pay” card, a contactless payment solution that enables users to pay for goods and services by simply tapping their card on a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, an innovation expected to significantly enhance transaction speed, convenience and security, while supporting the country’s gradual shift toward a cashless economy.

Speaking at the event, Afrimoney’s Marketing Director, John Konteh, emphasized the company’s commitment to customer-centered innovation, noting that the introduction of the Tap 2 Pay card reflects Afrimoney’s vision of delivering solutions that prioritize ease, safety and reliability for its users, stressing that the company is not only focused on profitability but also on creating meaningful impact in people’s daily lives.

“Today, we are leaving our footprints in the sands of time. At Afrimoney, we do not only innovate and sell products for profit; we place our subscribers at the center of everything we do. This Tap 2 Pay card has been specifically designed to provide comfort, safety, durability and reliability,” he stated.

In a detailed presentation, Afrimoney’s Chief Executive Officer, Martison Obeng-Agyei, introduced the functionality and benefits of the new card, highlighting its potential to improve customer experience and strengthen the foundation for digital and cashless transactions in Sierra Leone, while also underscoring the importance of collaboration with the media in promoting such innovations.

He disclosed that journalists present at the event were among the first to receive the cards, allowing them to test the system firsthand and provide feedback, noting that the media remains a critical partner in driving public awareness and adoption of digital financial services.

“Today, we are giving you these cards to experience how they work. Your feedback is important to us and we believe you will also help share this innovation with the wider public across Sierra Leone and beyond,” he said.

Also addressing the gathering, the Media Relations Manager of Africell Sierra Leone, Abdul Karim Sesay, placed strong emphasis on the broader role of the media in society and the economy, stating that the engagement provided an opportunity to reflect on media and society and more broadly the relationship between media and the economy. He noted that when designing products, the company considers media independence, sustainability and how journalists can practice their profession in a dignified manner.

He explained that Africell and Afrimoney have developed a product known as “Afri Credit,” which provides salary advance opportunities for reporters, adding that through arrangements approved by Managing Editors and Station Managers, journalists can access a portion of their salaries after fifteen working days, thereby easing financial pressures within the profession.

According to him, such innovations are intended to help transform the mindset of the media industry, as Africell believes that empowering journalists is essential to national development, emphasizing that the media plays an integral role in national safety and security and that access to information and financial support helps shape a more reliable and informed society.

He further stated that the introduction of the Tap 2 Pay card also ensures convenience for journalists in the execution of their duties, affirming that Africell remains a reliable partner to the media.

 

On behalf of the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Alhaji Manika Kamara, who was unavoidably absent, the Secretary General, Edward Marah, in his remarks, acknowledged the longstanding relationship between Africell and the media, noting that the partnership has yielded significant benefits for journalism in Sierra Leone and expressing optimism for even stronger collaboration in the future, while commending the company for its sustained investment in media development.

The engagement also featured contributions from the Head of Strategic Communications Unit at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, Abubakarr Joe Sesay, highlighted the importance of responsible journalism in amplifying innovations that contribute to national development.

In another new development, Afrimoney on Thursday, March 26, 2026, launched a new digital credit service, “Tross Fuel,” at the Africell Headquarters in Wilberforce, Freetown, targeting Keke and Okada riders who form a vital part of the country’s transport system.

Speaking at the launch, Afrimoney Chief Executive Officer, Martison Obeng-Agyei, explained that the Tross Fuel service is designed to support riders with access to fuel equivalent to three litres at the start of their workday, allowing them to operate even in the absence of immediate cash, with repayment expected later the same day, thereby addressing a key operational challenge within the transport sector.

He noted that Sierra Leone’s economy is heavily dependent on fuel and that fluctuations in global fuel prices have increased pressure on transport operators, adding that limited access to fuel can disrupt mobility, trade and access to essential services, making the Tross Fuel initiative a timely intervention to sustain daily economic activity.

According to him, the service is powered by AfriCredit, a credit institution licensed by the Bank of Sierra Leone and requires users to have an Africell SIM card, maintain an Afrimoney wallet and belong to a recognized transport park, while also obtaining a Tap to Pay card through their park leadership.

He clarified that once a rider requests the service, the monetary value of three litres of fuel is loaded onto the Tap to Pay card for use at partner fuel stations, with no cash involved, ensuring transparency and accountability through SMS confirmations linked to the user’s wallet.

Martison Obeng-Agyei further disclosed that the service carries a four percent charge based on prevailing fuel prices and guarantees access to fuel regardless of price fluctuations, noting that the initiative has already been rolled out in Makeni and would be available in Freetown from March 27, 2026.

Corporate Sales Manager Alfred Lavalie also highlighted the role of AfriCredit in expanding financial inclusion, explaining that users can access services by dialing *161# and selecting financial options, while referencing additional offerings such as salary advance facilities for salaried workers coordinated through employers.

He emphasized that both AfriCredit and Afrimoney are focused on delivering simple, accessible and impactful financial solutions, adding that the Tross Fuel service introduces efficiency at fuel stations through tap-to-pay functionality and structured end-of-day settlements.

The combined rollout of the Tap 2 Pay card and Trust Fuel service reflects Afrimoney’s strategic approach to innovation, not only enhancing digital payment systems but also addressing real-life economic challenges, reinforcing its position at the forefront of Sierra Leone’s evolving financial ecosystem, where technology, media empowerment and economic resilience are increasingly interconnected. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/afrimoney-launches-tap-2-pay-card-rolls-out-tross-fuel-credit-for-keke-okada-riders/