Africell Sierra Leone CEO visits SLAJ

By: SLAJ National Secretariat 

The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Alhaji Manika Kamara, on Friday, 27th February 2026, welcomed the Chief Executive Officer of Africell Sierra Leone, Shadi Al-Gerjawi, to the SLAJ Secretariat in what has been described as a historic visit.

The visit was a courtesy call to the Association’s newly elected Executive, which had been planning to visit its partners as part of the tradition observed by every incoming Executive. 

However, Africell took the initiative to visit the Secretariat first, marking a significant departure from the norm.

During the visit, the SLAJ President, accompanied by other Executive Members, conducted a tour at the Secretariat with the Africell CEO and the company’s Media Manager, Abdul Karim Sesay. The tour provided firsthand insight into the current state of the Secretariat and highlighted potential areas for development and partnership.

“This is a historic moment for SLAJ. Usually, we pay courtesy visits to our partners after being elected into office, but you have decided to change the narrative. This is impressive,” the SLAJ President stated. “We are honored to host you at our Secretariat as the first corporate leader to officially visit under my leadership. This clearly demonstrates the value Africell places on SLAJ and the media fraternity.”

President Kamara informed the Africell CEO about ongoing developments at the Secretariat and its regional offices, particularly efforts toward facelifting and infrastructural improvement. He also outlined the Executive’s intention to establish a modern Data Center to provide journalists with the opportunity to conduct research to support their work, alongside reliable and strong internet connectivity to enhance professionalism, fact-based reporting, and innovation within the media sector.

The SLAJ President further briefed the CEO on the unfortunate fire incidents that engulfed three radio stations, leaving their respective communities without reliable and credible sources of information. “We are appealing for whatever support your institution can provide to ensure those radio stations return to air within the shortest possible time,” he said.

Additionally, he highlighted the ongoing digital literacy training of 70 female journalists at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, supported by the European Union through BBC Media Action. He noted that the success of this initiative would be greatly enhanced if beneficiaries had access to a modern Data Center at the SLAJ Secretariat.

In response, Africell Sierra Leone CEO Shadi Al-Gerjawi expressed appreciation to the SLAJ leadership for its continued collaboration with his institution in promoting media development and nation-building.

According to him, close engagement with the media forms a vital part of Africell’s corporate culture and stakeholder engagement strategy.

“We value the media as critical partners in our journey. Africell remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen journalism and promote national development,” he assured, adding that the company would carefully review the proposals presented to determine how best it can support media development and professionalism in the industry.