By Ibrahim S. Bangura
Freetown, Sierra Leone – August 28, 2025: The Tanko Environmental Youth group from Kono has emerged victorious at the eUpshift Climate Challenge Final Pitch Event, held at the Sierra Palms Hotel in Aberdeen, Freetown. The event, co-led by UNICEF and the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), showcased the creativity and resilience of Sierra Leone’s youth in tackling climate change through community-driven innovation.
The competition marked the culmination of a months-long program that empowered over 5,200 young people across 12 districts to develop practical solutions to pressing environmental challenges. Each finalist team received NLe 8,000, with Tanko Environmental Youth earning an additional NLe 4,000 for their outstanding pitch focused on combating deforestation. Individual honors went to Mustapha and Mariama Jalloh, who were named best male and female presenters, receiving NLe 1,500 each.
The final pitch featured five standout teams:
- Tanko Environmental Youth (Kono) – Deforestation mitigation
- Climate Ambassador (Bombali) – Climate awareness and advocacy
- Jetway Innovation Sierra Leone (Tonkolili) – Biogas and fertilizer production
- Food Insecurity Fighters (Moyamba) – Sustainable agriculture
- Forest Conservation (Moyamba) – Clean air and water access
These teams presented solutions rooted in their communities’ lived experiences, addressing issues such as waste management, food security, and environmental degradation.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mariama Jalloh expressed gratitude to the organizers:
“We are the future leaders, and our development starts today. With the right support, we can achieve our goals. Thank you, UNICEF, for being here for us.”
Liv Elin Indreiten, UNICEF Deputy Representative, praised the youth’s innovation and resilience:
“Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing children and young people in Sierra Leone. What gives us hope is seeing young people being innovators and problem-solvers.”
She referenced UNICEF’s Climate Landscape Analysis for Children, which revealed that 80% of children in Sierra Leone face high environmental risks, with flooding accounting for over 90% of disasters in the past three decades. Despite these challenges, Indreiten emphasized the importance of scaling youth-led solutions through digital platforms like Learning Passport, WhatsApp, and U-Report.
Jasper Sembie, Director of DSTI, highlighted the role of technology and education in climate resilience: “At DSTI, we dedicate effort and resources to transforming Sierra Leone into an innovation and technology hub.”
He credited UNICEF’s support for initiatives like the NAMIC Passport, which has reached 61,000 users, and training programs certifying over 28,000 young people.
Hon. Mima Sobba-Stephens, Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change, stressed the need to pair innovation with leadership:
“Innovation alone is not enough. We must also nurture leadership among young people.”
Salima Bah, Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, reflected on the program’s growth: “To see eUpshift scaled from an e-learning platform to physical training over six months is truly remarkable.”
As the event concluded, the message was clear: investing in young people is investing in Sierra Leone’s future. With continued collaboration and support, these young innovators are poised to lead transformative change in their communities and beyond.