By Hassan Osman Kargbo

In a bid to see that youth are empowered through innovation and digital transformation in Sierra Leone, Orange Sierra Leone one of the leading mobile companies in Sierra Leone has concluded their grand finale of this year’s Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) 2023 and boosts the winners with One Hundred and Fifty Thousand New Leones (NLe 150,000,00).This important innovative event took place on Friday 4^th August 2023, at the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Hill Station in Freetown.

This year’s OSVP was divided into two different categories: the Tech Queen and the grand final category. The Tech Queen category was contested by three females, and grand final category was contested by five finalists.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, OSL, Seakou Amadou Bah, the journey of Orange Social Venture Prize – OSVP started in 2019 with the ambition to give Sierra Leonean innovator the plate form and to inspire young entrepreneurs to opportunities, funding and expending their businesses.

“The OSVP is an investment fund back by the Orange Group. It has been a driving force in young people across the 17 countries in Africa and the middle east,” he said.

He continued that as a mobile company their ambition is to be the lead digital partners to start off in Africa that will boost digital transformation in the country. He noted that in this era of digital inclusion, Orange SL has opened it digital plate form last year and the digital centre has democratized it access, particularly for young women.

“The OSVP competition has been instrumental in accelerating innovation in Sierra Leone, supported by partner innovation Sierra Leone. It aims to empower start up and innovators in the country, rewarding projects in education, healthcare, e commerce, and agriculture that aligns with sustainable development goals,” he stated.

The CEO ended by expressed his immense excitement about the success of the competition. He reiterated that Orange is committed to lead the digital innovation and transformation in Sierra Leone. He noted that Orange SL aims to provide young people with the tools to navigate the digital world and create a plate form for future innovators and entrepreneurs to lead the way in Sierra Leone and Africa as a whole.

Making her statement, the Minister of Tertiary and Higher Education, Dr Haja Wurie explained that the establishment of the OSVP has created good impact in the education, Health, Agriculture, E-commerce, and improve the lives of young people, especially women in the country.

Dr Wuria noted that innovation holds the key in improving the living conditions of women and empowering them as agent of sustainable development and nurturing minds to unlock potentials in the realm of technology in the country. She furthered noted that innovation is empowering growth and creating opportunities and promoting innovation through E-learning plate forms which help young leaders in Sierra Leone.

According to the keynote speaker and partner with Orange SL innovator, Mr. Francis Steven George, The OSVP is not just a competition but also it goes beyond a normal competition in Sierra Leone. He continued that Orange SL is a great partner to develop Sierra Leone’s innovative eco system.

“When you have a partner like Orange SL that is working towards building the ecosystem it means you are on a right track,” he said. He pointed out that their work will not complete if they don’t help those young innovators and bringing in new project in the country.

Announcing the 2023 Grand Final result of the Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP), Kadijatu Kamara, who is one of the judges started to congratulate all the participant for their good innovative skills and adding that they are all young and vibrant, he continued that it is great to see them exhibiting their talents. He furthered applauded the CEO of Orange SL for not sleeping on the dreams of young people in Sierra Leone. He encouraged them to keep doing their innovative works.

She ended by announcing Hawanatu Sesay with the IOP Plant Monitoring Device as the winner of the Tech Queens category, with a price of Fifty Thousand New Leones (NLe50,000,00). Also, James Samba of Sierra Electric Quadricycle as the winner of Grand Final Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) 2023 5^th Edition, with a star price of One Hundred Thousand New Leones (NLe100,000,00). Mr. Samba innovated the Keke that is not using fuel but used solar panel to move.

Speaking to FORUM NEWS after the announcement, Mr. James Samba said that he is humble and grateful to God Almighty for this award and it has motivated him and his team to work more to continue striving for excellence. He added that the achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion. He thanked Orange SL and its partners for organizing such a good and timely programme for them to showed case their innovate talent.

The winner of this year’s competition will have the chance to represent Sierra Leone in the international competition in October this year with a grand prize of 25,000 Euros.