Orange Sierra Leone has secured title sponsorship of a premier knockout football competition after signing a NLe 2.8 million partnership agreement with the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) for the 2026 FA Cup, signalling growing private sector investment in Sierra Leone’s football industry.
Under the deal, the competition will officially be branded as the Orange FA Cup 2026, marking the first time a major corporate entity has taken title sponsorship of the tournament.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Aïcha Touré described the partnership as a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to sports development.
She said football remains one of the most powerful platforms for community engagement and youth inspiration across the country.
According to Touré, the sponsorship goes beyond financial support and will contribute to talent development, grassroots football promotion and wider national visibility for the FA Cup competition.
As part of the partnership, Orange Sierra Leone will provide several digital and communication services to strengthen the operational capacity of the SLFA.
These include the installation of 60 Mbps high-speed fibre internet at the association’s headquarters in Kingtom and the provision of closed user group (CUG) mobile packages to improve communication among SLFA staff.
The partnership will also introduce new fan engagement initiatives and football-focused digital services aimed at expanding the reach of the competition.
A major feature of the agreement is the integration of Orange Money into the tournament’s operations.
The digital payment platform will be used for ticket sales, player bonuses and other tournament transactions, supporting secure and efficient cashless payments throughout the competition.
SLFA President Babadi Kamara described the agreement as the beginning of a long-term collaboration designed to strengthen football development nationwide.
He noted that the FA Cup remains the country’s most inclusive football competition, bringing together clubs from chiefdom, district, regional and national levels.
Kamara added that increased corporate investment demonstrates growing confidence in football administration and will help create more opportunities for clubs and young players.
Government officials also welcomed the partnership as an important step for sports development.
Deputy Executive Director of the National Sports Authority, Abdul Rahman Swaray, described the sponsorship as a major boost to the country’s sporting sector.
Meanwhile, Augusta James Teima commended Orange Sierra Leone for its investment, noting that corporate partnerships play a crucial role in promoting youth empowerment, sports development and national unity.
The Orange FA Cup 2026 is expected to feature clubs from across Sierra Leone in a nationwide knockout tournament aimed at strengthening grassroots football and providing a platform for emerging talent.
