By: Ronald Cole
On Saturday, August 9, 2025, a group of students from Institute of Public Administration and Management visited the Tombo community to conduct a survey. The purpose of the visit was to assess the role of digital technology and fintech in improving financial accessibility for rural areas in Sierra Leone.
The group was led by Samuel Thoronka, a student studying Banking and Finance, who emphasized the importance of gathering accurate and reliable information from the residents of Tombo. They aimed to understand how network companies such as Orange, Africell, and Qcell are serving the community’s financial needs.
Mrs. Fatmata Conteh, a fish trader residing in Tombo, shared her concerns about the challenges she faces when conducting business transactions using mobile money services. She mentioned that sending money from her phone to someone else can sometimes be a frustrating process due to poor network coverage, which causes delays and interruptions in the transaction.
Mr.Masudi K. Koroma, Administrative Officer, Sierra Leone Artisanal Fishermens Union (SLAFU), also highlighted the difficulties faced in sending money. He explained that if a mistake is made such as sending money to the wrong number, retrieving the money becomes a major issue. He noted that customer service is often slow, with representatives not responding to calls promptly, making it feel like the process is left to chance.
The Sherbro Tribal Head, Chief Michael K. Benga, also weighed in on the situation. He pointed out that poor network quality often disrupts phone calls and affects the overall reliability of these services. He suggested that establishing a commercial bank in the community would be beneficial for enhancing the financial services available to residents. He further stressed the urgent need for better infrastructure to support secure financial transactions.