‘Is Our Owners’ – AirtelTigo Gives Free SIM, Data, Voice + Jobs to SA Returnees
Chief Executive Officer of AirtelTigo, Leo Skarlatos, says the telecom company is treating evacuated Ghanaians from South Africa “like our owners” by giving them free SIM cards, data, and voice, plus job opportunities.
Skarlatos spoke *on Sunday, 6th June 2026, at Terminal 2, Accra International Airport* at the conclusion of the airlifting of over 300 Ghanaians from South Africa. The final flight brought the total number of returnees to around 1,000.
“Is our owners, so we wanted to make sure that our returning countrymen gets to see the same love that we give to, well, to everybody here,” he said.
Free SIM, Data, Voice + Job Support
Outlining AirtelTigo’s support package, the CEO explained:
“You mentioned a few spot items you’re rolling out, giving them free data, and what we’re giving everybody that comes a free sim, free data, free voice, also. And we have a couple of jobs that are available. So we’ve worked with the ambassador to coordinate that as well. So we’re happy to be able to do that.”
He added that AirtelTigo hopes to do more for returnees in future:
“Hopefully next time we’ll be able to support them even more. We know it’s difficult. It’s a difficult time off the record. We know they’re very tired also, so we want to give them time to get hold of everything, get what they need here, go home, rest for a while, recuperate, and then we can talk again. Thank you very much. Thank you for having us.”
The final batch of evacuees touched down as government and private sector partners rolled out reintegration support including free National Health Insurance registration, psychosocial counselling, resettlement allowances, and job placement through the National Youth Authority’s apprenticeship program.
