The 2025 winner of the Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) Sierra Leone, Edward Kamara, has encouraged young innovators across the country to believe in their ideas and take bold steps toward transforming their concepts into impactful solutions, as applications open for the 2026 edition of the competition.
In a message addressed to intending participants for the 2026 Orange Social Venture Prize-Sierra Leone, Edward Kamara, Founder of MiBuks and winner of the 2025 OSVP National Prize, reflected on his entrepreneurial journey, describing the programme as a life-changing platform that transformed his vision into a nationally recognized and growing digital solution.
Speaking on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Freetown, Kamara emphasized that innovation begins with belief, stressing that confidence in one’s idea is just as important as technical expertise.
“At every stage of the innovation journey, there comes a moment when belief is as important as technical skill. Belief that an idea is worth building, belief that your perspective matters, and belief that even with limited resources or uncertainty, you should take the next step,” he stated.
Kamara disclosed that before joining OSVP in 2025, MiBuks, a digital business management platform designed to support small businesses in Sierra Leone, was still in its early stages and searching for the right ecosystem to grow and scale sustainably.
“Before OSVP, MiBuks was a young idea strong in purpose and ambition, but still searching for the right environment to grow, mature, and scale responsibly. OSVP became that environment,” he said.
Reflecting on his initial hesitation to apply, Kamara revealed that like many young entrepreneurs, he questioned whether his innovation was sufficiently developed to compete nationally. However, he explained that the programme taught him a powerful lesson: success is not built on perfection but on potential.
He described the Orange Social Venture Prize as a platform that nurtures evolving ideas, offering innovators mentorship, guidance, and the opportunity to sharpen their vision while accelerating both personal and professional growth.
According to Kamara, the support received through OSVP enabled MiBuks to transition from a minimum viable product into a more stable and scalable digital platform.
Developed by Millennial Sierra Leone, MiBuks was created to assist micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in managing their finances through practical digital tools. The platform allows businesses to track sales, expenses, inventory, and operational performance, even in areas with limited internet connectivity.
Kamara noted that many small businesses struggle due to poor financial record-keeping, adding that MiBuks helps entrepreneurs convert everyday transactions into reliable business data to support informed decision-making and expand access to financial opportunities.
Since winning the OSVP 2025 prize, he disclosed that MiBuks has expanded significantly, launching on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store while continuously improving based on user feedback.
“Today, the platform supports 2,379 users across all 16 districts of Sierra Leone, including hard-to-reach areas such as Falaba District,” he revealed, underscoring the importance of inclusive and accessible innovation.
He further explained that OSVP funding enabled his team to improve technical infrastructure, expand its development team, and introduce new features, including additional language support such as Arabic and branch management tools for businesses operating across multiple locations.
Beyond technology, Kamara said the platform is also helping to unlock financial opportunities for entrepreneurs. He revealed that MiBuks is finalizing a partnership with Kakebo Financial Services to pilot access to credit for users in Kenema District using verified transaction data to support financing applications.
“This is where innovation delivers real value—not through complexity, but by enabling opportunity,” he noted, adding that MiBuks is evolving into a pathway for financial inclusion and long-term business growth.
Encouraging aspiring innovators to apply for the 8th edition of the Orange Social Venture Prize, Kamara urged young Sierra Leoneans not to underestimate the value of their ideas, even when faced with uncertainty.
Applications for the Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) 2026 are currently open from March 26 to May 17, 2026. The competition offers prizes including SLE 200,000 for the National Winner in Sierra Leone, SLE 120,000 for the Tech Queen category, international awards ranging from €10,000 to €25,000, and a €20,000 International Women’s Prize.
“If you are working on an idea that addresses a real challenge, do not underestimate its potential. Apply even if you feel uncertain. Progress often begins with the decision to take part,” Kamara advised.
Describing the programme as transformative, he concluded with a message of hope to aspiring innovators: “OSVP changed my life. It might just change yours too.”
