The Triumph of Passionate Entrepreneurs in the National Pitch Competition
At the grand final of the National Pitch Competition of the JA Africa Social Equity Program (JA-SEP), held on Monday, October 6, 2025, a group of passionate entrepreneurs from the Orange Digital Center emerged victorious, outperforming the other nine finalists to claim the first prize. This event marked a significant milestone in the journey of young Liberian innovators seeking to create impactful social ventures.
The JA-SEP program is supported by the European Institute for Cooperation and Development (IECD) Liberia, in collaboration with JA Africa and TeraLead, with funding provided by the Z Zurich Foundation and AFD (the French Development Agency). This initiative has been instrumental in equipping over 1,500 youth across five technical and vocational educational training (TVET) centers, including BWI, AVTP/Maryann Cheeseman, BDOTC, MVTC, and LOIC, as well as the Orange Digital Center, with essential entrepreneurial skills.
Boot Camps and Skill Development
Throughout the program, 15 boot camps were conducted, focusing on nurturing entrepreneurial talents and enabling participants to design and develop their own youth-led social impact projects. After months of rigorous training and coaching, the top 10 projects were selected to present at the National Pitch Competition. The champion team, known as the Passionate Entrepreneurs, was awarded the honor of representing Liberia at the AfrInnovate Youth Challenge in December 2025.
In addition to the first prize, the top three winners received financial support and resources to bring their ideas to life. Team Eclat and Camp Preneurs, both from the Orange Digital Center, secured second and third place respectively.
Financial Support and Program Objectives
According to the Project Manager of IECD, Madam Mathilde Bouton, the first, second, and third place winners automatically received US$3,000, $2,000, and $1,000 respectively. The Country Director of IECD, Guillaume Desjonqueres, emphasized that the program’s primary goal is to provide young Liberians with access to opportunities for learning, working, and building a dignified life through inclusion and confidence-building, rather than solely focusing on business plans.
He highlighted the importance of integrating the program into the Liberian TVET system, with activities hosted at various training centers. The success of the program, he noted, is attributed to the collaboration and trust of partners and donors, including the Z Foundation and AFD.
Encouraging the Youth
TeraLead CEO, Mrs. Rosy Choudhury, encouraged the youth to continue striving for excellence and contributing to the greater good of Liberia. She expressed her belief in the energy and potential of Liberian youth, stating that she was motivated to start the TeraLead Future Ready Program after witnessing the immense energy of young people in Liberia.
The Director of the Orange Digital Center (ODC), Zaza Mulbah, shared the center’s mission to equip young people with digital and entrepreneurship skills. He revealed that the ODC recently celebrated its third anniversary and has trained over 12,000 young adults since its inception. A recent six-week collaboration with IECD saw the training of over 352 young Liberians in entrepreneurship, with 35.7% of the participants being female.
Collaboration and Future Goals
Mr. Mulbah emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving significant results, noting that the ODC’s work, which includes hubs in Gbarnga and Maryland, can be replicated across the country. AFD Country Representative, Eliot Sotty, praised IECD and its co-implementers for successfully leading the program to its final stage, vowing his agency’s commitment to supporting meaningful youth programs.
ECOWAS Ambassador to Liberia, Josephine Nkrumah, urged Liberian youth to exhibit hard work and integrity as core values for their businesses. She stressed that these principles are essential for sustained progress and business success.
Participant Testimonies
Participants shared their experiences during the final pitch competition, highlighting the transformative impact of the program. Mariam Trawalley, a student of the Boker Washington Institute or BWI, mentioned the importance of leadership, emotional intelligence, and business strategy. Tibitha Neihne of the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) noted the key takeaways from the program, including leadership, teamwork, and financial awareness.
Key Highlights of the Program
The program stood out for its participatory approach, promoting creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving among youth. Facilitated sessions were highly interactive and impactful, enabling participants to apply entrepreneurial concepts to real community challenges. Through the program, participants developed viable business ideas, enhanced self-confidence, and improved communication, leadership, and collaboration skills.
The certificate served as a key motivator, increasing participants’ sense of accomplishment and commitment to entrepreneurship. Despite its successes, the program faces challenges such as technical and resource limitations, particularly in online learning and post-training mentorship. Addressing these issues will ensure deeper and more sustainable impact in promoting youth entrepreneurship and self-reliance across Liberia.
