By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, Sierra Leone – At a packed hall on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Family Kingdom in Aberdeen, A Call To Business Bank (ACTB) announced Esther Finda Dauda of Wilkinson Road as the winner of a brand-new Suzuki vehicle valued at $13,000. The electric grand draw was filled with anticipation and energy, with attendees from the financial sector, ACTB staff, and customers eagerly awaiting the announcement of the lucky winner. Esther Finda Dauda, a recent customer who joined the bank just a few months ago, emerged as the grand prize winner.
The ‘Save N Win Babala Promotion,’ launched on June 10, 2024, offered ACTB customers nationwide the opportunity to win monthly prizes, including freezers, televisions, mobile phones, DSTV sets, Bluetooth speakers, and other valuable items. However, the grand prize—a sleek, brand-new Suzuki—drew the most attention.
The promotion allowed any customer who saved at least NLe 5,000 every month or NLe 30,000 over six months to be eligible for the grand prize, making it an inclusive event for ACTB’s broad customer base. Before the final draw, three additional winners were selected in the last monthly draw for December 2024: Rebecca Yomba Morsay, Isata Jalloh, and Francis Boima.
ACTB Bank’s Marketing Manager, Rockslyn Alwyn Findlay, spoke enthusiastically about the promotion, calling it a groundbreaking initiative that lived up to its promises. “We announced that on the 31st of January 2025, we would have a grand draw for the Suzuki, and today, we are here to make it a reality,” he said proudly. He also reflected on ACTB’s growth from a microfinance institution into a full-fledged bank in 2018 after securing a license from the Bank of Sierra Leone.
Michael Kamara, Managing Director of Gem Micro Finance, praised ACTB’s swift rise and the impact it has made in a relatively short time. “We’re not surprised by their success—it’s a reflection of the strong leadership ACTB has under its CEO. They’re setting a benchmark for the rest of us to follow,” Kamara remarked.
Auditor Fatmata Steven from Baker Tilley, who oversaw the draws, commended the entire process as fair, free, and transparent, ensuring all customers had an equal chance of winning.
Before the grand reveal, ACTB CEO David Kamara expressed his gratitude to the bank’s customers, staff, and partners for making the day possible. “As a bank, we are incredibly proud of this achievement, and I’m especially proud of all of you for your unwavering support,” Kamara said. He emphasized ACTB’s mission to empower both formal and informal workers by integrating them into the financial system, improving livelihoods and business opportunities. Kamara assured attendees that the promotion was handled with the utmost transparency, giving each customer a fair chance at success.
As the night came to a close, Esther Finda Dauda’s name was selected from thousands of hopeful customers. Initially thinking the late-night phone call informing her of the win was a prank, she later expressed her heartfelt gratitude to ACTB and to God for making the victory possible.
Testimonials from previous winners added to the evening’s excitement, with many reflecting on how the promotion had touched their lives in unexpected and meaningful ways. ACTB’s ‘Save N Win Babala Promotion’ concluded with a sense of celebration and community, showcasing the bank’s commitment to enriching the lives of its customers while inspiring others to join in.
Many described the move taken by ACTB as a delightful demonstration of its commitment to giving back to loyal customers.