By:
Robert Kwaku Annor
Sierra
Leone has selected five high-potential startups to represent the country at
leading international technology and innovation events following the READY
Salone Investor Day, a platform designed to connect investment-ready businesses
with venture capital investors and industry stakeholders.
The
event featured The Pitch Experience,
where 11 startups presented their business ideas before a panel of venture
capital experts who also provided insights into how investors evaluate emerging
businesses.
MiBuks
emerged as the overall winner, with Greentech Bioenergy securing second place.
Both startups earned the opportunity to participate in the COMEUP Festival 2026
in South Korea through sponsorship from the Korea International Cooperation
Agency (KOICA) under the READY Salone Project.
The
remaining top three startups—GreenBin, Green Compost in Agriculture for
Development (GCAD), and Geneline-X—will represent Sierra Leone at the Africa
Tech Festival in South Africa.
MiBuks,
based in Freetown, has developed a digital platform that helps market traders
and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises manage trading activities,
monitor expenses, track inventory and improve access to financing through
credit scoring.
Greentech
Bioenergy focuses on developing biogas digester technology that converts
biodegradable waste into clean cooking gas and organic fertilizer, providing
sustainable energy solutions while supporting agricultural productivity.
GreenBin
is addressing urban environmental challenges through smart waste collection
systems, community-based waste reporting and organic fertilizer production. The
company recently won the Southern Region Climathon 2026 for its climate-focused
innovation.
GCAD
is promoting climate-smart agriculture by transforming organic market waste and
coastal seaweed into compost fertilizer, creating employment opportunities for
young people while supporting sustainable farming practices in the Kenema
region.
Geneline-X
is developing artificial intelligence solutions tailored to local needs,
including Krio-to-English speech recognition technology and no-code chatbot
development platforms designed for low-connectivity environments.
The
Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation said the competition
highlighted the growing strength of Sierra Leone's innovation ecosystem and
demonstrated the readiness of local entrepreneurs to compete on the
international stage.
The
READY Salone initiative aims to strengthen entrepreneurship by providing
startups with access to mentorship, investment opportunities and international
exposure, while supporting the country's broader digital transformation and
economic diversification agenda.
Officials
said the selected startups represent a diverse range of sectors, including
fintech, clean energy, climate technology, agriculture and artificial
intelligence, reflecting the expanding scope of innovation in Sierra Leone's
technology ecosystem.
