Duo of Interswitch and the Bank of Sierra Leone ,BSL, recently facilitated the coming together of key stakeholders across the financial ecosystem to chart a course toward broader access, inclusion, and growth through digital payments.
They partnered to support the second edition of the Sierra Leone Fintech Forum held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.
Present at the event themed Access, Inclusion and Growth -Deepening Digital Payments in Sierra Leone were senior representatives from both the public and private sectors, including regulators, banks, fintechs, mobile money operators, and development organisations.
The programme was organised to accelerate Sierra Leone’s digital finance transformation and in his keynote address titled Building on Progress: Expanding Access, Driving Inclusion, and Fueling Growth for National Prosperity, the Managing Director for Payment Processing and Switching ,Interswitch Purepay, Mr Akeem Lawal, reinforced the company’s commitment to co-creating value in the markets it serves.
He said, “Financial inclusion goes beyond launching more apps or issuing more cards, it’s about solving real problems with solutions that are scalable, secure, and grounded in local realities.
“Since the first edition of the Fintech Forum, Sierra Leone has made clear progress, with strong mobile penetration and a forward-looking central bank. What’s needed now is execution that is sustained, coordinated, and responsive to the realities on the ground.
“By applying lessons from multiple African markets and tailoring them to local needs, Interswitch is committed to supporting Sierra Leone’s digital transformation. That means enabling agency networks that function effectively, driving merchant acceptance to reduce cash reliance, and working closely with regulators to co-create policy that drives real progress and inclusive growth”.
In his remarks, the Governor of BSL, Mr Ibrahim Stevens, commended Interswitch’s continued investment in the country’s digital transformation journey, highlighting the regulator’s commitment to driving regulatory innovation and building an inclusive ecosystem.
“The Bank of Sierra Leone recognises the critical role of digital financial services in building a more inclusive and resilient economy. Events like the Sierra Leone Fintech Forum, in collaboration with innovators like Interswitch, help accelerate the adoption of technologies that bring more Sierra Leoneans into the formal financial system.
“We remain committed to creating an enabling regulatory environment that fosters innovation while ensuring consumer protection and financial stability,” the central bank chief stated.
A key highlight of the forum was the live demonstration of Interswitch’s Agency Banking solutions, designed to bridge the gap between traditional banking infrastructure and underserved and remote communities.
Attendees experienced firsthand how the platform supports secure, efficient, and accessible financial transactions across Sierra Leone through a decentralised network of agents.
The event featured a series of insightful panel discussions, interactive Question & Answer sessions, and networking opportunities, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across the ecosystem.
As mobile connectivity expands and Sierra Leone’s digital agenda accelerates, the forum provided a timely platform to align actors, surface practical solutions, and build collective momentum toward a more inclusive financial system.
