DE LA RUE
PRESS RELEASE

De La Rue Invests in a Lasting Footprint in Sierra Leone
 

(Freetown, 4th May 2012) De La Rue, experts in the delivery of currency, licensing and secure national identity solutions, proudly launched the De La Rue Advanced Partner Programme in Sierra Leone last week. This innovative and collaborative new initiative aims to further develop De La Rue’s long standing relationship with the Government of Sierra Leone, by showing a commitment to continued investment in the country and development of a lasting footprint for the future. The launch event, held at the residence of the British High Commissioner in Freetown, was used to announce their involvement in two important sustainable charitable projects based in Sierra Leone in association with Cambridge University and the charity, Street Child of Sierra Leone.

The first of these projects sees De La Rue’s sponsorship of the Sierra Leone African Innovation Prize 2012 in conjunction with students from Cambridge University. Working alongside the University of Sierra Leone to inspire entrepreneurship and provide grass-root funding for new business proposals, this scheme aims to introduce some of the brightest students in Sierra Leone to the fundamentals of running and leading their own businesses.

De La Rue also announced their support of Street Child of Sierra Leone by providing funds to rebuild Salakunda’s school in the remote Northern chiefdom of Tambakha. Street Child of Sierra Leone works to get children off the streets and into full time education, investing in the improvement of existing schools to provide a quality education; building structures, training teachers and providing learning materials.

De La Rue has been working in Sierra Leone since before the country’s independence fifty-one years ago and has delivered a variety of projects including Banknotes, the National Identity card, Immigration visas and the nation’s passport. The country’s National Identity Card offers one of the best identity solutions in the region and as a result of its design and specialist construction, it delivers the highest levels of protection against counterfeit and fraud. Additionally, the card personalisation solution has been specifically devised to support the local population and economy with 100% of the operational staff being Sierra Leone nationals.

Sarah Teacher, Co-Director, Africa Innovation Prize said “At the African Innovation Prize we are delighted to be part of the De La Rue Advanced Partner Programme in Sierra Leone. Our work investing in entrepreneurial students at the University of Sierra Leone would not be possible without De La Rue. Through us, De La Rue is directly supporting the business leaders of tomorrow, and therefore ensuring Sierra Leone’s future continuing prosperity.”

Thomas Dannatt, Founder Street Child Sierra Leone; “Street Child of Sierra Leone is dedicated to reversing the unfortunate fact that, despite it being the 21st century, there are places that still exist in the world today where there are no schools. We’re working to change this, one village at a time. However we can only do this with the help of committed partners such as De La Rue. On behalf of Street Child and all the children of Salakunda I would like to extend a great thank you to De La Rue

- and we look forward to inviting you back for the school’s official opening in September!”

Kevin Freeguard, Managing Director, De La Rue Solutions commented “By investing De La Rue expertise, funds and time, we hope to leave a lasting footprint within Sierra Leone, and with our long-term commitment to locally driven projects and initiatives, continue to strengthen the existing relationships we have with our partners in country.”

Jose Garcia, Programmes Director, De La Rue Solutions commented “It is an honour and a Privilege for De La Rue to be working in Sierra Leone and the De La Rue Advanced Partner Programme is a clear indication of the commitment of our company to Sierra Leone’s progress and development.”

For further information please contact:

Rob Hutchison, Group Director of Marketing Communications

rob.hutchison@uk.delarue.com tel +44(0)1256 605018

www.delarue.com

www.africaninnovationprize.org

www.street-child.co.uk