The SLAJ iVerify fact-checking desk has verified a widespread social media claim that mobile companies have increased mobile money transaction charges by 15% and found it true.
“Mobile Money Transaction charges have been increased by 15%” social media claim
SLAJ iVerify has fact-checked the above claim and found it to be true. To reach this conclusion, our team of fact-checkers undertook the following steps:
The SLAJ iVerify analyzed releases from the Ministry of Information and Civic Education all confirming a 15% increment on the new mobile money transaction charges.
Our team also examined the new mobile money transaction rates released by mobile money service providers in Sierra Leone and found a 15% increment in their new charges.
While the widespread social media claim that mobile money transaction charges have been increased by 15% is correct, there has been a 400% increment in the new individual mobile money transaction charges on Orange and Afrimoni.
However, the claim that cashout price for Le 100,000, Le 500,000 and 1 million Leones old Leones is now Le 15,000, Le 75,000 and Le 140,000 respectively, is false.
According to Orange and Africell Sierra Leone, the new mobile money transaction cost reflects a 15% GST.
Consequently, the service charges to transact NLe 100, NLe 500 and NLe 1,000 new Leones are NLe 3.51, NLe 13.23 and NLe 30.02 respectively.
Ministry of Information and Civic Education announces new mobile money transaction charges reflective of a 15% GST: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=651381523778414&set=pcb.651381627111737
Orange Sierra Leone announces new mobile money transaction charges: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=640111654903477&set=a.634342765480366
Africell Sierra Leone Media Relations Manager confirms the 15% GST addition to Afrimoni charges: https://x.com/john_konteh/status/1713570713699803645?s=20
