In a major push towards digital inclusion, Africell Sierra Leone has partnered with Media Matters for Women (MMW) to provide digital skills training to over 300 schoolgirls and female entrepreneurs across rural communities in Sierra Leone.
The initiative, known as the Digitruck Salone Project, is implemented by MMW with funding support from Close the Gap through the Internet Society Foundation. Africell’s backing has been instrumental in bringing the mobile digital classroom to underserved areas, equipping participants with vital skills for education and entrepreneurship.
The project transforms a 40-foot shipping container into a high-tech, solar-powered mobile classroom, traveling across the Western Area Rural District, Bombali, and Kenema to reach its beneficiaries.
Alinah Oliet Kallon, Manager of the Digitruck Salone Project, disclosed that 308 schoolgirls and 31 female entrepreneurs have so far benefited from the initiative. “With the help of Africell and other partners, we are able to achieve our goal of empowering girls with digital tools to enhance their learning and help women grow their businesses,” she stated.
She emphasized that the program not only imparts practical digital literacy skills but also plays a critical role in reducing the gender gap in technology access, especially in remote regions.
Speaking at a recent event, Africell’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Joe Abass Bangura, shared a personal reflection on his journey from modest beginnings to becoming a corporate leader. He highlighted the transformative power of education and technology, noting, “Every child has the potential to change their world. What they need is access and opportunity.”
Bangura praised MMW and its partners for their commitment to bridging the digital divide. He reaffirmed Africell’s dedication to supporting initiatives that uplift communities and empower the next generation. “We believe in the power of partnerships to create meaningful change,” he said. “Projects like Digitruck are not just about technology—they are about hope, growth, and a better future.”
Africell has previously supported similar empowerment initiatives, including nationwide coding boot camps and mobile computer labs for young people.
As the Digitruck Salone Project continues to roll into new communities, Africell’s support stands as a testament to its enduring commitment to social impact and inclusive development in Sierra Leone.
