First Bank of Sierra Leone and Orange Money have officially launched a groundbreaking savings partnership designed to expand financial accessibility and inclusion across the country.

Unveiled at Orange Money Headquarters at Hill Station, the initiative allows Orange Money customers to seamlessly move funds from their mobile wallets into investment accounts with First Bank — without the need for a physical bank account.

Executive Director of First Bank Sierra Leone Ltd, Boblina Bami Caulker, explained that customers can choose flexible investment tenors of 30, 60, or 120 days, earning interest rates significantly higher than traditional savings accounts. “Those with excess funds or funds that don’t require immediate disbursement can choose to save with First Bank,” she said.

Orange Mobile Finance CEO David Samba Mansaray described the partnership as a major step toward financial inclusion. “Most people use mobile money simply to send or receive payments. With this partnership, customers can now earn interest on their savings, even starting with as little as NLe1,” he noted, stressing that the service caters to students, farmers, and petty traders.

First Bank CEO Udeme Udoh added that the project, developed over three years, has full approval from the Bank of Sierra Leone. He emphasized that customers can now save for school fees, rent, or other goals directly through their Orange Money wallets, avoiding the hassle of opening a bank account.

The partnership marks a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s financial sector, offering millions of mobile money users the opportunity to transform their wallets into wealth‑building tools.