As Orange launched the Orange Social Entrepreneur Prize in Africa and the Middle East, Orange Sierra Leone is gearing up for the Upcoming 14th Edition of The Prize in Africa and the Middle East.
The Launching which was done in Tunisia will rewards each year the best technological projects with a social impact. Candidates from the 17 countries in which Orange is present have the opportunity, until May 26, to submit their project on the site https://www.orange.com/fr/poesam
POESAM is at the heart of Orange’s strategy to develop the entrepreneurial ecosystem and promote employability.
Since 2011, POESAM has rewarded innovative start-up projects, based on technologies and having a positive societal impact, in areas such as education, health, e-commerce, agriculture or meeting the objectives of sustainable development.
As a committed operator, Orange wishes through this award to contribute to socio-economic development, support social and environmental innovation and encourage entrepreneurship in Africa and the Middle East. Launched in 2011, the award recognizes innovative startup projects using information and communication technologies that have a positive impact on society in Africa and the Middle East. Most of the projects focus on education, healthcare, e-commerce, agriculture or the environment.
POESAM is therefore aimed at any student, employee or entrepreneur over the age of 21, whose initiative is less than three years old .
Since its launch in 2011, POESAM has been part of a logic of detecting young responsible digital talents, an approach at the heart of Orange’s strategy in Africa and the Middle East.
A final jury composed of influential figures in technology in Africa will be responsible for designating the 3 winners of the POESAM International Grand Prix in November. They will receive, in addition to the national prizes, the equivalent of €25,000 for the 1st winne €15,000 for the 2nd winner and €10,000 for the 3rd winner .
Meanwhile in 2022, Orange-Sierra Leone recognized and honoured the winner of the International Orange Venture Prize (OSVP) 2022, Joseph Koroma, at a cocktail party on Thursday 17th November 2022 at Lagoonda in Freetown.
The event brought together representatives from the government, staff, and management of Orange Sierra Leone, family members and well-wishers of the Winner, private sector company officials, the media, etc.
OSVP was introduced by Orange Middle East and Africa in 2011 with a strong ambition to accelerate start-ups and promote local Innovations with great potential to solve social and digital challenges in Africa. In March 2019, Orange Sierra Leone launched the OSVP national competition to give Sierra Leonean innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to acquire funding, mentorship, and expansion of their businesses.
Orange-SL Chief Executive Officer, Sekou Amadou Bah, expressed nice sentiments about the winner, noting that in three years, his company has awarded seven winners under the general and women’s categories in the sum of 365 million Leones.
“Every year, all the finalists from the different countries will participate in the international grand prize organized by OMEA. This year, Out of 17 countries with over 1,400 applications, Joseph Koroma one of the Sierra Leonean finalists emerged as the winner for his innovative project known as Life Blood- Sierra Leone and he received the sum of 25,000 Euros for this grand win. As a company, we are very excited about this win as it is a win for Sierra Leone,” he remarked and continued that the company hopes to train, nurture, finance, and provide the platform for many more innovators and entrepreneurs to thrive so that we can produce many other Joseph’s that this country will be proud of. “Thank you for gracing this occasion in honour of Joseph and cheers to Sierra Leone for this great win,” Bah said.
The Winner, Joseph Koroma, registered his appreciation to Orange -SL for supporting his project, adding that “I owe everything to Orange-SL”.
Since starting this program, Orange has rewarded 47 projects and financed the support of 90 entrepreneurs through expert guidance from Orange or its partners.
The POESAM winners in the 17 countries will receive support at Orange Digital Centers, with the prospect of expanding their business beyond the borders of their respective countries through the network of Orange Digital Centers in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
