By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
Orange Sierra Leone has announced the commencement of its 6th Edition of the Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) in Sierra Leone, marking the 14th edition across Africa and the Middle East. This initiative aims to bolster social innovation and foster local entrepreneurship.
The competition officially opens for submissions on Monday, March 25th, 2024, and applicants from the 19 Orange affiliates in Africa and the Middle East, including Sierra Leone, are encouraged to apply for both the National and International categories. The deadline for submissions is set for May 26th, 2024.
Applicants can register and submit their applications through the following links:
For registrations/applications: https://poesam.orange.com/en/
For additional information about OSVP: https://www.orange.com/en/osvp
The competition reflects Orange Sierra Leone’s commitment as a responsible corporate and social investor to contribute to human capital development, support local social and environmental innovations and stimulate entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone.
Since its inception in 2019, the OSVP prize has recognized innovative projects spanning education, healthcare, e-commerce, agriculture, and other areas contributing to sustainable development goals through digital technology.
The competition consists of two stages:
1. The National Stage:
During this phase, applications will be accepted from March 25th to May 26th, 2024, including submissions for the Women’s competition. In August 2024, a national pitch competition will be held to award winners in the National and Women’s categories. Prizes for the winners include NLe 200,000 for the National Winner and NLe 120,000 for the Women’s Winner.
2. The International Stage:
Winners from the National and Women’s categories across the 19 Orange affiliates in Africa and the Middle East will proceed to the international phase. Following evaluations, 10 finalists will be selected, with the top 3 winners of the OSVP International Grand Prize chosen by a final jury of African tech influencers in October/November 2024.
In line with Orange’s commitment to equal opportunity, an International Women’s Prize will also be awarded for the fifth consecutive year, recognizing a woman who offers a technological solution to improve women’s living conditions.
Prizes for the international and women’s competitions include:
€25,000 for 1st place international winner
€15,000 for 2nd place international winner
€10,000 for 3rd place international winner
€20,000 for Women’s international winner
Orange Sierra Leone is a leading telecommunications operator and service provider licensed by the National Communication Authority. The company is dedicated to meeting the socio-economic needs of society and aims to become a responsible Corporate Social Investor, enhancing the daily lives of people in Sierra Leone through digital experiences.
Orange operates in 18 countries in Africa and the Middle East, with over 143 million customers as of December 31st, 2022. Orange MEA is a key growth area for the Orange group, with revenues reaching 6.9 billion euros in 2022. Orange Money, its flagship mobile-based money transfer and financial services offer, is available in 17 countries, serving over 80 million customers. Orange remains a multi-services operator and a crucial partner in driving digital transformation across Africa and the Middle East.
