On Tuesday, 3 February 2026, the UBA Foundation and Orange Sierra Leone signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Orange Digital Center Hall, Hill Station, Freetown, in a move aimed at strengthening maternal healthcare and community well-being nationwide. The ceremony, presided over by the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby, was hailed as a landmark public–private partnership in Sierra Leone’s health sector.
The collaboration is built on a shared commitment to delivering lasting social impact, empowering communities, advancing sustainable development, and driving meaningful change through improved maternal and child health services. Both institutions emphasized that the initiative goes beyond conventional corporate social responsibility, positioning it as a strategic investment in Sierra Leone’s human capital.
Delivering the keynote address, UBA Sierra Leone Managing Director and CEO Mohamed Alhajie Samoura highlighted the country’s progress in reducing maternal mortality over recent years. He noted that maternal deaths have fallen from about 1,000 per 100,000 live births to around 300, marking one of the sharpest declines globally. While awaiting independent verification of the most recent figures, Samoura stressed that Sierra Leone is still far from achieving the ultimate goal of zero preventable maternal deaths.
“Maternal health is not just a Freetown issue—it is a nationwide concern affecting both rural and urban communities,” Samoura said. “Saving mothers’ lives requires sustained support at every stage of life—from pregnancy and safe delivery to early childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age.”
He explained that the UBA–Orange initiative seeks to provide a holistic, inclusive, and responsive healthcare model tailored to the specific needs of women at different life stages, including the management of conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity through early detection and continuous care.
Samoura also highlighted the importance of collaboration among corporate institutions that would normally be competitors, noting that UBA and Orange prioritized national interest over rivalry, recognizing that healthier mothers and children ultimately benefit society, the economy, and their customer base.
In his remarks, Minister of Health and Sanitation Dr. Austin Demby welcomed the partnership, calling it a model for effective private–public collaboration. He emphasized that infrastructure alone does not save lives, but a combination of skilled health workers, adequate equipment, essential medicines, and compassionate care is critical.
Dr. Demby urged other corporate entities to follow the example set by UBA and Orange, stressing that reducing maternal mortality requires collective action from government, civil society, development partners, and the business community.
As Sierra Leone advances toward universal health coverage, the UBA–Orange partnership is expected to expand access to maternal health services, improve quality of care, and strengthen community health systems nationwide. Both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to support pregnant women, newborns, and families, ensuring that every child born in Sierra Leone not only survives but has the opportunity to thrive.
