By Fuad Deen
The 2025 winner of the Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) Sierra Leone, Edward Kamara, has called on young Sierra Leonean innovators to believe in their ideas and take bold steps toward turning them into impactful solutions, as applications open for the 2026 edition of the programme.
Kamara, founder of MiBuks and winner of the 2025 national prize, said the OSVP platform had transformed his early-stage idea into a scalable digital solution supporting small businesses across Sierra Leone.
Speaking in Freetown on May 13, 2026, he said innovation requires both belief and technical skill, stressing that confidence in an idea is essential even when resources are limited.
“At every stage of the innovation journey, there comes a moment when belief is as important as technical skill,” he said, adding that many young entrepreneurs often underestimate their potential at the early stages.
He described MiBuks as a digital business management platform designed to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) track sales, expenses, inventory and performance, even in low-connectivity areas.
According to him, before joining OSVP 2025, the platform was still developing and searching for the right ecosystem to grow, but the programme provided mentorship and support that helped refine and scale the product.
Kamara said the OSVP experience helped MiBuks move from a minimum viable product to a more stable and widely used platform. He added that the app is now available on both Android and iOS stores and continues to expand based on user feedback.
He revealed that the platform currently serves more than 2,000 users across all 16 districts of Sierra Leone, including remote areas such as Falaba District, highlighting the importance of inclusive digital innovation.
He also noted that OSVP funding helped strengthen technical infrastructure, expand the development team, and introduce new features such as multilingual support and improved business management tools.
Beyond technology, Kamara said MiBuks is exploring financial inclusion opportunities, including a partnership with Kakebo Financial Services to pilot credit access for small businesses using verified transaction data.
Applications for the Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) 2026 are open from March 26 to May 17, 2026. The programme offers national and international prizes, including funding for top innovators and a special award for women-led projects.
Kamara encouraged young people with ideas addressing real challenges to apply, saying progress often begins with taking the first step despite uncertainty.
“OSVP changed my life. It might just change yours too,” he said.
