In the bustling city of Freetown, Sierra Leone, the relentless entrepreneurial spirit of women like Hafsatu Wurie Bah are accelerating digital financial inclusion. Once a novice to the world of mobile money, Hafsatu is now an experienced agent with electronic wallet provider, Orange Money. The shift began when her business partners increasingly preferred mobile money payments, prompting her to venture into the Orange Money office at Hill Station.

Once there, Hafsatu found herself embracing the digital revolution. She promptly acquired a SIM, registered on the Orange platform, and activated her mobile money account—all in a single day. The exceptional customer experience she encountered fueled her curiosity, leading her to inquire about becoming an Orange Money agent.

With the realization that she met the criteria, Hafsatu embarked on her journey as an agent. After a period of training, she began serving her community, remarking, "Business is good, and I am making progress because people now know about Orange Money." She quickly noted the popularity of cash-in, cash-out, and top-up transactions among her clientele.

Meanwhile, in the Koinadugu district's Kabala Park, Hawa Barrie has also made strides in the mobile money business. Once a housewife, she embarked on a new path with newfound independence as an Orange Money agent. "I was only cooking and cleaning, but becoming an Orange Money agent has given me employment," Hawa recounts, adding, "Now I work and make my own money through commissions I get as drivers and traders transact at my point." Despite the success, Hawa also shares the challenges she faces, particularly in dealing with high-value transaction customers due to cash flow constraints from her side business.

Hafsatu and Hawa are just two of many women in Sierra Leone turning the tides of economic opportunity for themselves and their households in a country where about 60 percent of the active workforce is unemployed, with women being the most vulnerable group.

In an initiative that aligns with several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UNCDF joined forces with Orange Mobile Finance, Mosabi, an education platform, and Empire Solutions Micro Finance in November 2021. The aim of this initiative is to enhance the distribution of digital financial services across Sierra Leone, championing financial inclusion and boosting women's participation in the formal financial sector.

This partnership has already seen over 2,000 women agents recruited and trained, with over 10,000 customers receiving education in financial and digital literacy. More than 500 of these trained customers have further benefited from a digital credit product.

The future is ripe with opportunity for women aspiring to join the agent business in Sierra Leone. With a rising demand for mobile money and digital financial services, women and the youth can seize this chance to shape the market trends in their favor.

For an inspiring look into the lives of Hafsatu Wurie Bah and Hawa Barrie, watch their video:

Read our first blog to learn more about this initiative here.