Sierra Leone’s biggest and most reliable leading telecommunications company in the country, Orange Sierra Leone last Friday 4th August, 2023 awarded the two winners of its Fifth Edition of ‘Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP)’ amounted to Le150,000,000 (One hundred fifty Million Leones old note) at Limkokwing University Hall, Hill Station in Freetown.

James Samba, innovator of Sierra Electric Technology Solution bagged the general grand prize of Le100,000,000 (One hundred million Leones old note) whilst Hawanatu Sesay innovator of Internet of Things (IOT), a Plant Monitoring Device won the Tech Queen grand prize of Le50,000,000 (Fifty million Leones old note).

The unique qualities of the winners of the two separate awards among other competitors that touched the heart of the judges was that James Samba invented the use of electric power through solarized battery on tricycles (Kekehs) instead of fuel to reduce carbon dioxide emission and operational cost, whilst Hawanatu Sesay innovated a plant monitoring device that checks the viability and lifespan of plants to improve the quality and quantity of food production.
Orange rewards the best technological and innovative ideas that will help to benefit the people in Africa and the Middle East.

The Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) is an annual programme organized by Orange Group to showcase innovative young minds by providing financial support as start-ups and putting expertise in the management of businesses using information communication technologies through its partner, Innovation Sierra Leone.

Making a statement, Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Ramatulai Wurie described orange innovative award as a remarkable initiative with positive impact on education, health, agriculture, E-commerce and most importantly for the improvement of women’s living condition in the country. She said that technology stands to effect positive change and through OSVP competitive, women will serve as agent of change and empowerment for sustainable development.

The Minister underscored the important of ICT pointing out that it helps to bridge the digital gap and also open the door for women to participate in E-Commerce and empowerment opportunities.
Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Salima Monuma Bah congratulated both the participants and winners for their remarkable ICT enabling solution to address social problems.

She said that the government capitalizes on young people innovative ideas in the wide range of sectors to deliver on its development priority agenda.

Making his statement after emerged the general grand prize winner, James Samba expressed gratitude to Orange (SL) for the platform accorded to him to participate in the OSVP competition. “I feel proud and overjoyed to emerge the winner of the OSVP 2023 edition” he averred. He explained how he has crafted his idea into business model to help reduce carbondioxide emission and operational cost.

Orange (SL) has never ceased to ensure that it supports and complements Government’s efforts in many sectors including education, health amongst others.