By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma
First Lady Fatima Maada Bio has officially launched Flot, a Sierra Leonean financial technology platform offering digital payments, international card services and travel solutions, in a move aimed at expanding access to modern financial services.
The platform was unveiled at the Country Lodge Hotel in Freetown before government officials, business leaders, financial institutions, technology partners and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the launch, First Lady Fatima Bio described the initiative as a practical step toward improving access to financial and travel services for Sierra Leoneans, particularly those doing business or travelling abroad.
“This milestone represents a practical step forward in expanding access to modern banking online systems, travel, and financial support right here at home, making the journey easier for everyone who does business or travels abroad,” she said.
The First Lady congratulated the company’s leadership and staff for bringing the project to market, saying locally developed initiatives could create opportunities and strengthen domestic capacity.
“I want to extend my sincere congratulations to the CEO and the entire FLOT team for bringing this vision to reality,” she said. “Initiatives like this create new opportunities and build local capacity, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this service will bring to travellers across Sierra Leone.”
A Sierra Leonean Platform With Global Reach
Flot is operated by Open Hubb SL Limited, a Freetown-based company. Its platform combines digital wallets, payments, cards, travel booking and business financial services, with transactions also accessible through WhatsApp.
According to information published by Flot, its wallets support both the Sierra Leonean leone and the US dollar. Customers can fund wallets through linked bank accounts, mobile money and debit or credit cards.
The company lists Orange Money and Afrimoney among the mobile-money services supported by its platform. Users can also make transfers, purchase airtime, pay electricity bills and review transactions through its digital services.
Flot lists Zenith Bank and Sky Bank among its banking partners, while Visa and Mastercard are identified as card-network partners. Its card portfolio includes Virtual, Mint, Gold and Ultra Black options, subject to applicable eligibility requirements and approvals.
The travel component allows customers to search, compare and book flights while using the same ecosystem for payments and other financial services. For Sierra Leoneans travelling for business, education or family…
Read More: Fatima Bio Launches Flot as Sierra Leone Steps Up Digital Finance and
