The Africell Impact Foundation, the Oxford University Africa Society, and Fourah Bay College (FBC) have announced the winners of the 2026 Tech4Good Innovation Challenge, aimed at harnessing technology to address societal challenges and create opportunities for young innovators in Sierra Leone.
Launched as part of the 2026 Innovation Seed Fund during the annual Oxford Africa Conference, the programme provided FBC students and recent graduates a platform to develop ideas that can drive development across Africa.
Initially, ten students presented their technology-based proposals to the Oxford University Africa Society, leading to three finalists being selected. Leon Lollyn Arnold Grovesnor was named the overall winner, with Michael Mahungbe Blango and Yeaniva Agnes Lansana recognised as finalists.
At the celebration, Africell Sierra Leone’s CEO, Shadi Gerjawi, praised the participants and highlighted the next step: supporting the development and commercialisation of their innovations to ensure they provide practical benefits to society. He reiterated Africell’s commitment to supporting young people with innovative ideas and announced plans to organise a second edition of the initiative, inviting additional universities to participate.
FBC’s Deputy Registrar, Brima Bah, called the recognition a proud moment as the institution approaches its bicentenary. He expressed gratitude to the Africell Impact Foundation and the Oxford Africa Society for this opportunity.
Overall winner Grovesnor, a student in the Department of Economics, shared his excitement and noted how the challenge expanded his knowledge and boosted his confidence. He praised Africell for facilitating the presentation of his idea to Oxford University without the need for travel, stressing the importance of access to support for transforming innovative concepts into tangible solutions. His project, Eco Corpor, is a platform that enables the public to trade recyclable materials, promoting recycling and sustainable waste management practices.
The Tech4Good Innovation Challenge showcases an increasing collaboration among educational institutions, international organisations, and the private sector. The Africell Impact Foundation remains dedicated to youth empowerment, innovation, and fostering solutions with a lasting social impact.
