By Ishmael Dumbuya
Innovation Sierra Leone has on 15th November hosted the Global Entrepreneurship Week at the Bank Complex, Kingtom, Freetown.
In his opening remarks, the CEO and Founder, Francis Steven George, stated that Innovation SL is an entrepreneurship support organization that plays a key role as the national host for Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) in Sierra Leone.
He added that Innovation SL celebrate entrepreneurs and support SMEs and start-ups by creating an enabling environment through webinars, panel discussions, and pitch nights.
According to the CEO, since 2017, Innovation SL has been the national host for Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) in Sierra Leone, noting that the first GEW was held at the Sensi Tech Hub, with a closing grand event at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Hill Station.
“In 2019, we had one of the biggest events, which was hosted at the British Council Hall on Tower Hill. Since its inception, we have brought together stakeholders from every component of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, including the government, banks, educational institutions, NGOS, development partners, and ambassadors,” he concluded.
Mabel Ironn Sky Turay, an entrepreneur, commended Innovation SL for hosting them, and creating the platform for her to share her story.
She went on to state that Entrepreneurship not only provides large-scale employment and ways to generate income, it also has the potential to improve the quality of individual life by developing products and services that are affordable, safe to use, and add value to their lives.
She added that this year’s celebration focuses on female entrepreneurs’.
Mabel emphasised that entrepreneurship has a manifold of benefits such as a Growth Mindset. As the business expands, one must constantly adapt to market shifts and overcome new challenges, unique experiences, a rewarding Career, flexibility, work-Life Autonomy, flexibility to work anywhere, Innovation and positive Impact.
In an interview with Concord Times, Hannah Campbell, the Financial Controller of Innovation SL explained that this year’s Global Entrepreneurship Week focuses on the gains and developments of female entrepreneurs’ in Sierra Leone. She added that primary goal of Innovation SL is to bring together stakeholders from every component of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, including the government, banks, educational institutions, and NGOS.
The celebration attracted female entrepreneurs’ from different institutions’ as well as members’ of the fourth estate.
