By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
232news
The visit of Pope Francis in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) which saw one of his biggest Masses with around a million attendees showcased the strength of Africell in that country.
Africell took center stage in the branding among other things ahead and during the visit of the Pop in Kinshasa as part of it cooperate social responsibility as their footprint is all over that country. It was the first visit by a pope since John Paul II travelled there in 1985 when the country was known as Zaire. Its 45 million-strong Catholic Church has a long history of promoting democracy.
Huge crowds started to gather in Kinshasa well before dawn, including scores of schoolgirls dressed in white who danced along the Pope’s route. A public holiday was declared, so as many people as possible could attend. Around half of DR Congo’s population is Catholic – the largest Catholic community in Africa.
Pope Francis was greeted by jubilant scenes at N’dolo airport: “My joy is too huge that I think I am going to cry,”
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africell is affectionately known as “Le reseau du peuple” or “the people’s network.” Since the launched in 2012, Africell have steadily grown it subscriber base and coverage. Africell are now joint market leader in the biggest provinces, including the capital Kinshasa. In 2021-22 Africell expanded it footprint into three new provinces. Africell nickname comes from its reputation for honesty and friendliness customer care. Africell understand what customers in the DRC want and need from a mobile provider, and Africell give it to them in the form of fast, reliable and reasonably priced data, voice, SMS and mobile money services. Africell DRC has 500+ skilled employees who are at the forefront of developing the DRC’s telecoms and technology sectors. Africell believe in the economic potential of DRC and its people, and supporting small entrepreneurs, students and women is at the heart of its strategy.
The love Africell DRC demonstrated to the people of Congo is not different from what Sierra Leoneans are enjoying from subscribers to government and non-governmental agencies. In Sierra Leone, Africell is the leading mobile communications and technology company in Sierra Leone. Africell launched services in 2005 and have grown to become the nation’s most popular and trusted brand. In Sierra Leone, Africell offers a mix of reliable and affordable data, voice and SMS products. Africell improve lifestyles and create opportunities through mobile money and other helpful technology services.
Through initiatives designed to promote Sierra Leone artists and entertainers, Africell gives local talent the platform it deserves and helps bring it to a wider audience. Africell invest in education and environmental initiatives across the country. Africell Sierra Leone has 350+ employees with expertise spanning engineering, finance, marketing, sales, HR and more.
As a company Africell was founded in 2001. It has US ownership and is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company has approximately 10,000 direct and outsourced employees and currently operates in four countries – The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola.
Africell is a market leader in The Gambia and Sierra Leone, with approximately 60% market share of the telecoms sectors in each. In Democratic Republic of Congo, Africell has between 20-25%.
