By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a collaborative effort led by the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP), in collaboration with the Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project (RUSL-P), Limkokwing Innovation Hub, Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), and supported by the World Bank through PROBLUE, the Go-Circular Pitch Competition concluded on February 23, 2024, at Limkokwing University on Hill Station in Freetown.
The competition featured six young innovators presenting their ground-breaking contributions to developing alternatives to single-use plastics, with a specific focus on the tourism sector in the country. Following a competitive round of presentations, Fatmata Osman Kamara, a student of the University of Management and Technology, emerged as the winner with her project, NICOSTA Initiatives. Fatmata received the top prize of 15,000 New Leones.
Additionally, the Spark Team, presenting on Refilament, secured the first runner-up position and was awarded 10,000 New Leones. Maurice Joseph Bangura, a student at Limkokwing University, claimed the second runner-up position with his project, ECO-Furnish, earning a prize of 5,000 New Leones.
In his submission, the Director at Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation, Abdul Malik Tejan-Sie, commended the move by the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP) and partners for staging the Go-Circular Pitch Competition involving young innovators on their contributions to developing alternatives to single-use plastics in the country.
He said that Director at Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation is open to work with innovators to innovate ideas geared towards solving societal issues in the country.
The Planning & Outreach Officer at National Tourist Board, Bashiru Kamara, said that the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs is aware that the country’s tourism asset is more in nature including the country’s beaches, wild life, biodiversity etc.
He said that they are also aware of the impact of plastic pollution on the environment disclosing how in most cases when they are developing strategic plans, projects etc. they factor the issue of waste management, specifically to reduce, reuse and recycle plastic waste.
Bashiru Kamara also used the opportunity to commend the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP) and partners for staging the Go-Circular Pitch Competition involving young innovators on their contributions to developing alternatives to single-use plastics in the country.
On her part, Fatmata Osman Kamara, a student at University of Management and Technology (UNIMTECH) and the founder of the Nicosta Initiative Recycling Business that crafts products from plastic and fabric wastes, took the podium, overwhelmed with emotion as she expressed appreciation to the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP) and partners for the opportunity provided by the competition.
Her dedication to creating wealth through sustainability was evident, addressing the challenges of high competition and the need for machinery of which she revealed that the said amount won will be used to purchase the machine.
Refilament, represented by the Spark Team, tackled the issue of plastic waste by converting it into 3D printing filaments, aiming to create economic opportunities while addressing environmental concerns.
Maurice Joseph Bangura, CEO of Eco Furnish, outlined his project’s innovative approach to recycling waste plastics into eco-friendly furniture for educational institutions, emphasizing the importance of educating younger generations on sustainability.
The competition highlighted the commitment of Sierra Leonean youth to combating plastic pollution and promoting sustainable practices, promising a brighter, greener future for the nation.
