By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Freetown City Council (FCC) has taken a major step toward modernizing revenue collection and improving service delivery with the launch of the AfriMoney Property Rate and Business Licence Payment System. The initiative, introduced on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, aims to make it easier and faster for residents to fulfill their financial obligations to the council through secure digital transactions.
The official launch took place in Freetown and was attended by the Mayor of Freetown, Her Worship Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, the Chief Executive Officer of Africell Sierra Leone, Shadi Al-Gerjawi, and AfriMoney’s General Manager, Martison Obeng-Agyei. The event also brought together FCC councillors, senior administrators, and members of staff who welcomed the new innovation as a timely tool to boost revenue generation and enhance accountability.
Through this new digital platform, residents can now conveniently pay their property rates and business licences from anywhere using AfriMoney, Africell’s mobile money service. The system is designed to simplify transactions, reduce cash handling, and improve efficiency in the council’s financial management.
Speaking during the launch, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr underscored the importance of paying local taxes, noting that the council relies on such revenues to fund essential community services including waste management, infrastructure improvement, and environmental initiatives.
“The introduction of this digital payment system is part of our ongoing effort to make revenue collection more transparent and convenient for residents,” the Mayor stated. “We encourage all property owners and business operators to take advantage of this service and meet their obligations, as these payments directly support service delivery across Freetown.”
She expressed appreciation to Africell and AfriMoney for their collaboration, describing the partnership as a practical example of how technology can drive progress in local governance. Mayor Aki-Sawyerr also highlighted FCC’s commitment to innovation and accountability through digital transformation, which aligns with the council’s broader goal of building a cleaner, safer, and more resilient city.
Africell CEO, Shadi Al-Gerjawi, lauded the partnership as a significant milestone in promoting digital inclusion and supporting local institutions. He reaffirmed Africell’s dedication to working with the government and municipal authorities to enhance public services through digital solutions.
AfriMoney’s General Manager, Martison Obeng-Agyei, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the platform offers a secure and user-friendly way for residents to fulfill their civic responsibilities. He noted that the system has been tested for reliability and security to ensure smooth transactions.
Both executives commended the Freetown City Council for its proactive leadership, particularly its ongoing sanitation initiatives under the “Dorti Mus Go” campaign, which continues to improve environmental cleanliness and public health in the city.
To access the new digital payment service, residents can simply dial 16121112*5# on their mobile phones. Payments made through this channel are processed instantly, eliminating the need for physical visits to the council offices.
The launch of the AfriMoney payment system marks another step forward in FCC’s digital transformation agenda, reinforcing its vision of a transparent, efficient, and citizen-friendly local government.
