By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu | Bo City
In a bold move to enhance urban aesthetics and foster corporate-community collaboration, the Bo City Council, in partnership with Africell Sierra Leone, has successfully revitalized the iconic Shelmingo Roundabout—turning a once-neglected intersection into a modern and vibrant city landmark.
The upgraded roundabout now features elegant landscaping, improved lighting, freshly painted barriers, and a striking Africell-branded centerpiece that blends modern design with cultural flair. This transformation marks the first step in a wider city beautification campaign spearheaded by the Council with strong support from private sector partners.
During the official unveiling ceremony, Henry Powell, Chief Administrator of the Bo City Council, expressed gratitude to Africell for its timely support and commitment to civic development. He emphasized the vital role of strategic partnerships in addressing urban infrastructure needs in the face of limited municipal funding.
“City revenues alone are not enough to realize our beautification goals. That’s why we’re engaging private partners like Africell to help bring our vision of a cleaner, more attractive Bo City to life,” Powell stated.
Africell’s Regional Manager, KH Fawaz, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to sustainable community development and announced plans to upgrade five additional roundabouts in Bo City as part of its broader corporate social responsibility (CSR) program.
“This initiative is part of our ongoing effort to give back to the communities we serve and to align our CSR with the city’s long-term development objectives,” Fawaz explained.
City Councillors Amara Sherif, Foday Pumaguay, Hassan Wiseman, and Peter Jah all commended Africell for its active involvement. They pledged to ensure community ownership and sustainability of the project moving forward.
The Shelmingo Roundabout transformation stands as a powerful example of what public-private partnerships can achieve revitalizing urban spaces, promoting civic pride, and laying the groundwork for further development across Bo City.
