Plastic pollution is one of our planet’s biggest problems, posing serious risks to the socio-economic and environmental wellbeing of humans, animals and plants. In Sierra Leone like in other parts of the world, littered plastic waste can be seen at almost every corner, usually ending up on the beach and in the ocean.

The winner of the EU Delegation Pitch Night event on replacing single use platic hosted in October 2021 has returned to Serra Leone after an intensive training programe in Rwanda.

Plastic pollution is one of our planet’s biggest problems, posing serious risks to the socio-economic and environmental wellbeing of humans, animals and plants. In Sierra Leone like in other parts of the world, littered plastic waste can be seen at almost every corner, usually ending up on the beach and in the ocean…

To tackle this menace, the European Union in Sierra Leone - as part of its 2020 climate diplomacy activities - had organised a pitch night in partnership with the Irish Embassy and Innovation SL in order to listen to ideas of young entrepreneurs on how to replace single use plastic.

 John Sawo Koroma, founder of Crafty Bee Fashion whose idea was to replace single use plastic with cotton bags produced from Africana fabrics, won the best pitch in October 2020.

Fast forward to June 2021. After quite a few inevitable COVID-19 related hurdles, the EU and the Irish Embassy were finally able to sponsor John’s trip to Rwanda in order for him to develop his business idea, at a handicraft manufacturing company in Kigali: Dokmai Rwanda. Here’s a snapshot into John’s exiting journey to Kigali.