By Lemuella Tarawallie
UNICEF, Craft Management Solutions, and the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation – Sierra Leone (DSTI-SL) officially launched the eUPSHIFT Incubator and PITCH Challenge at the Sierra Palms Resort in Aberdeen on Thursday. This event marked the culmination of a six-month entrepreneurship training programme for young people from across Sierra Leone’s provinces.
The PITCH Challenge was designed to move beyond motivation and instead equip young people with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to turn their ideas into viable, community-driven solutions. It provided a platform for youth to propose initiatives that needed only a small push, a “leg up”, to stand on their own. The showcased projects addressed key issues including deforestation, waste management, sustainable agriculture, and clean energy, highlighting the participants’ commitment to solving real-world problems through innovation.
UNICEF Deputy Country Representative, Liv Elin Indreiten, stated that over 5,200 young people had completed the eUPSHIFT course through bootcamps and competitions held across 12 districts. From 25 participating youth groups, five outstanding teams were selected following an intensive six-month incubation and mentorship programme. These finalists were: Tankoro Environmental Development Programme (Kono District), Jetway Innovation (Tonkolili District), Climate Change Ambassador (Bombali District), Food Insecurity Fighter (Moyamba District), and Deforestation Fighter (Moyamba District).
Each team received Le 8,000 in support, with Tankoro Environmental Development Programme awarded an additional Le 4,000 as the overall best team. Individual awards were also given to Mariama Jalloh, who received Le 1,500 as Best Female Presenter, and Mustapha of Jetway Innovation, who also received Le 1,500 as Best Male Presenter.
Speaking at the event, Indreiten emphasized that these solutions stem from lived experiences rather than theory, calling them courageous and creative responses to challenges faced daily by communities. She urged the government, private sector, civil society, and development partners to go beyond applause and provide the funding, platforms, and mentorship necessary to help these youth-led innovations grow. She also encouraged the use of digital platforms like WhatsApp, U-Report, and the Learning Passport to expand outreach and engagement.
Violet Asgill-Peters, Founder and Managing Partner of Craft Management Solutions, praised the young innovators for their transformation over the six-month period. She noted that many began the programme with nothing but ideas and determination. Today, they walk away with business acumen, leadership skills, and a renewed sense of purpose. The selected teams were trained in areas such as design thinking, business development, financial literacy, marketing, and funding access, both locally and internationally.
Asgill-Peters underscored that the programme was not the end of Craft HR’s commitment. The organisation pledged continued mentorship and investor engagement. Already, a $2,000 seed fund has been secured from FG Gold, thanks to its chairman, Mr. Oliver Andrews. She reminded the audience that innovation is a journey, and while some may succeed today, others will rise tomorrow. The goal, she said, is to keep building a culture of resilience and growth.
The event also drew praise from government representatives. Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Mima Y.M. Sobba-Stephens, commended the young innovators for taking the lead on environmental issues and urged stakeholders to continue nurturing their ideas into scalable, sustainable solutions. She stressed that young people are not just future leaders, they are leading now, and their voices and actions must be supported.
Minister of Communication, Salima Bah, echoed similar sentiments, noting that government-backed innovation initiatives have already demonstrated how youth-led ideas can provide tangible solutions to national challenges. She encouraged the young finalists to see their projects not just as competition entries but as the foundation of future businesses that can drive real development.
The eUPSHIFT Incubator and PITCH Challenge represents a pivotal moment in Sierra Leone’s push to support youth entrepreneurship and innovation. With the continued backing of partners, investors, and the government, today’s youth-led ideas have the potential to become tomorrow’s engines of growth, creating jobs, driving sustainability, and shaping a brighter future for the nation.
