By Ibrahim Mansaray
Orange Sierra Leone has officially launched the 8th edition of the Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) in Sierra Leone, reaffirming its commitment to driving innovation, supporting youth entrepreneurship, and promoting sustainable development across the country.
The launch, announced in Freetown on April 15, 2026, forms part of the 16th edition of the initiative across Africa and the Middle East. The OSVP has grown into a flagship program, attracting more than 17,600 applications since its inception, supporting technology-driven solutions with strong social and environmental impact.
Applications for the 2026 edition are open from March 26 to May 10, with entrepreneurs, startups, and project leaders encouraged to submit innovative ideas aimed at addressing pressing societal challenges. The competition particularly targets solutions leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cybersecurity, especially in critical sectors like agriculture, education, healthcare, and environmental protection.
According to Orange Sierra Leone, the initiative is designed not only to provide financial rewards, but also to serve as a powerful growth accelerator. Winners will gain access to Orange Digital Centers, expert mentorship, strategic partnerships, and increased visibility to support funding opportunities and market expansion.
The competition will unfold in two phases. During the national phase, a jury, comprising innovation ecosystem stakeholders and Orange representatives, will evaluate entries and select the top three projects. These winners will then advance to the international stage, competing for the Grand Prize and the International Women’s Prize, with final results expected from October 2026.
At the national level, the overall winner will receive SLE 200,000, while the winner of the women’s category, known as the Tech Queen, will be awarded SLE 120,000. At the international level, prizes range between €10,000 and €25,000, with an additional €20,000 allocated for the International Women’s Prize.
Orange Sierra Leone emphasized that the OSVP continues to empower local innovators by fostering creativity and strengthening the country’s digital ecosystem. The company noted that the initiative aligns with its broader mission of contributing to Sierra Leone’s socio-economic transformation, while reinforcing its role as a key driver of inclusive growth across Africa and the Middle East.
As competition intensifies in the innovation space, the OSVP stands out as a critical platform for turning bold ideas into impactful solutions, offering Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs a pathway to scale and global recognition.
