(SLENA, 22nd November, 2022).Africell Mobile Company limited and Rokel Commercial Bank launched the PUT N PUL System at their Juba Bridge branch on Friday 18th November, 2022.
The representatives from both institutions acknowledged the fact that they’ve been in constant communications in order to arrive at this juncture. They’ve attended several meetings, exchange of mails, zoom meetings in order to achieve this goal for both institutions which is a win-win financial situation.
Umaru Shyllon, Business Centre Manager of Rokel Commercial Bank stated in his welcoming address that, both institutions can’t compete against each other but to rather collaborate to implement the PUT N PUL electronic transaction system. This has been a long journey for RCBank as the leading bank in the country and Africell the widest network in Sierra and that the launching of the product, signifies the financial inclusion drive their Managing Director was talking about nationwide.
“So, collaborating with Africell (Afrimoney) shows that the financial inclusion drive is moving. This facility will enable our customers and your customers to get money from their account to their wallet. For everywhere there is RCBank, there is Africell”. Umaru concluded.
Abassie Thomas, the Director of Finance cited that, both RC Bank and Africell are brand names in the country just like the musicians and they are not companies anymore but they are brand names. He reiterated that in order for both companies to merge to introduce the PUT N PUL is a laudable venture.
“Banking is like a formal institution that provides formal services to their customers. Africell also is a formal institution but most of their businesses are on the informal sector. So, if these two companies came together wherein you’ve Africell customers or subscribers and R Bank costumers merged together, is a massive business explosion. For any country to develop, you need the smooth transfer of financial services in the country. For R, C, Bank to team up with Africell is a laudable idea, it will be a win-win situation for customers, for the subscribers and also for the Government of Sierra Leone.” Thomas noted.
MartisonObeng-Agyei, the Director of Afrimoney commenced by saying they at Africell (Afrimoney) are excited about the partnership. Taken into consideration how many efforts they’ve put into it in order for it to become a reality; adding that the service would bring relief to the Bank customers and Afrimoney customers who saved with RCBank and who don’t saved with the bank but given them more reasons and convenience.
“The good thing about this partnership is that, it offers the customers the chance to be able to save anytime of the day, any day of the week and also any season, whether it’s raining season or dry season. The customers don’t have reasons not to have banking services.
Agyei commented about the financial services been available by Afrimoney agents all over the country and accessible to subscribers and customers of Africell and RCBank.
“The partnership also means that Afrimoney’s agent network is now available as a single bank branch to all Rokel Commercial Bank customers. So, with these partnership, we’ve open for you over Six thousands (6,000) new branches from Today. So, customers anywhere in this country, if you don’t see RCBank sign and you see an Afrimoney sign, it’s a branch of RC Bank that customers can go to and withdraw or deposit into their accountss.
Martison emphasised that they would ensure that they satisfied their customers more and that their services would be available twenty four (24 hrs) a day. Because the bank has a closing time, the agent work beyond the bank closing time.
