By Feima Sesay
Orange Sierra Leone the biggest and widest mobile operators in the country has during the fifth edition of their OSVP award night supported two young innovators with NLe 150M as grand prizes. The 5th edition of the Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) award took place at the Limkokwing University on the 4th August, 2023.
The competition featured eight (8) finalists vying for the impressive prize sum of One Hundred and Fifty Million Leones (Le150M). The OSVP, organized by Orange Sierra Leone, seeks to foster entrepreneurship and creativity among young Sierra Leoneans. This annual event encourages participants to present their most innovative business concepts.
Among the talented finalists, James Samba of Sierra Electric emerged as this year’s winner, walking away with Le 100,000 National Grand Prize, whiles another promising entrepreneur; Hawanatu Sesay of IOT Plant Monitoring Device received NL50, 000 as the winner for the Tech Queens.
Madam Martha Sumaila , in her welcoming address, highlighted the positive impact of the OSVP over the past five years. She emphasized how the initiative has empowered numerous youths in the country, providing them with a platform to showcase their talents and innovations.
Mr. Kamal Abass of Orange SL in his statement at the pitch night, expressed enthusiasm about the 5th edition of OSVP and the 13th edition in the Middle East of Africa. He assured the audience that Orange would continue to make strides in technology and create opportunities for start-ups and young innovators in the country while promoting gender equality.
Sekou Amadou Bah, the CEO of Orange Sierra Leone, spoke about the inception of OSVP in 2019 and its role in nurturing young talents and fostering digital transformation in Africa and the Middle East. He reiterated Orange Sierra Leone’s commitment to supporting women in the digital realm.
Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, lauded the establishment of OSVP for its potential to create a significant impact in various sectors, including Education, Health, Agriculture, E-commerce, and the overall improvement of women’s living conditions.
She emphasized the importance of technology in transforming societies and acknowledged OSVP’s role in celebrating innovative projects that empower women and contribute to sustainable development.
The Minister of Communication Technology and Innovation, Ms. Haja Salimatu Bah, expressed her optimism that the Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) would substantially improve the lives of young learners, especially women, in Sierra Leone. The OSVP has undoubtedly become a critical platform for young entrepreneurs in Sierra Leone, encouraging innovation, and making a positive difference in the lives of the nation’s youth. With its continuous support, Orange Sierra Leone aims to drive digital transformation and empower the next generation of leaders, particularly women, across the country
