On March 17th, 2026, Innovation SL and Startups Africa Ventures (SAV) officially launched the Sierra Leone chapter of the Mano River Union Startup Ecosystem initiative at the Orange Digital Center.
This milestone marks the introduction of a Venture Pipeline Engine designed to connect local startups to global opportunities, bridging the long standing funding gap in frontier markets like Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Key Highlights:
- Powerful insights from ecosystem leaders, government, and private sector players
- A dynamic panel unpacking challenges around mindset, accountability, and market access
- A high-impact masterclass on investor readiness & building strong data rooms
- A clear pathway for startups: Founder Institute → SAV → Techstars
What’s Ahead:
- 50+ startups to be accelerated
- 500+ direct jobs and 1,500+ indirect jobs projected
- 50% focus on women led ventures
- Up to $520K in structured capital access
This is more than a launch it’s a bold step toward unlocking innovation, driving investment, and building globally competitive startups from the Manor River Union region.
With support from UBA, GIZ and Orange Digital Center.
