A genuine space for opportunities, the Orange Digital Center is a unique concept, bringing together four of its programs in the same location to encourage the development of a real digital ecosystem in Africa, notably by making it more accessible to young people and women. This program includes: a coding school; a Solidarity FabLab digital manufacturing workshop supported by the Orange Foundation; a start-up accelerator, Orange Fab; and Orange Ventures Africa, the Orange Group's investment fund. All of these programs are free and open to everyone. They range from training young people in digital technology (90% of the training courses are hands-on training), to supporting project leaders, including the acceleration of start-ups and investment in them.
Orange also works with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to offer a free 12-week, full-time certified training program on cloud computing for people looking for a job in order to launch their career in cloud technologies in 18 countries via Orange Digital Centers in Africa and the Middle East.
Against the backdrop of accelerated connectivity in Africa, reaching 413 million users by the end of 2020 according to GSMA, and with a young population (one in two Africans is under 20), there are considerable digitalization challenges.
Orange has sought to contribute to Africa's socioeconomic development for over 20 years and in 18 countries. It supports this digital revolution, firstly through connectivity (one billion euros in investment per year), but also through the implementation of this program to help young people develop their digital skills and improve their employability.
So far, eight Orange Digital Centers have already been opened in the zone: Tunisia, Senegal, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Jordan, Morocco, and Mali. More centers will be opened in other countries by the end of 2021 and during 2022.
Stéphane Richard, Chairman and CEO of the Orange Group, says: “Orange is a socially responsible company everywhere. Commitment is a core company value, which we have made a central aspect of our Engage 2025 strategic plan. To promote digital technology which drives inclusion and is accessible to as many people as possible, we aim to deploy an Orange Digital Center in every country where we operate by 2025. This objective reflects our determination to take action to make digital technology a positive innovation.”
Alioune Ndiaye, CEO of Orange Africa and the Middle East, continues: "I am very proud to inaugurate the sixth Orange Digital Center in Africa today in Cameroon, which is part of the network of 32 Orange Digital Centers deployed in all the countries where we operate in Africa and the Middle East, as well as in Europe. The main objective is to democratize access to digital technology for young people - with or without qualifications - giving them access to the latest technological trends to improve their employability and prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow.”
Press contacts
Ibtissame Nafii ; ibtissame.nafii@orange.com ; +33 6 37 38 60 50
Khadija Komara ; Khadija.komara@orange.com ;+ 33 6 76 45 96 18
About Orange
About Orange Orange is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators. The Group aims to be the trusted partner for everyday digital life by providing individuals, businesses and communities with reliable connectivity and innovative services. As of the end of 2025, Orange connects 340 million customers (including MasOrange) across 26 countries and generated 40.4 billion euros in revenues.
As a trusted player, Orange leverages the excellence of its very high-speed broadband networks to deploy digital infrastructure in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The Group is a European leader in fiber, with 100 million connectable households, and convergent offers. In France, Orange connects 34 million customers and was ranked No. 1 by the regulator Arcep for the quality of its mobile network for the 15th consecutive year. In Africa and the Middle East, the Group’s growth engine, Orange serves nearly 180 million customers and promotes digital and financial inclusion through its connected solutions.
Under the Orange Business brand, the Group supports companies in transforming their networks as well as in AI, trusted cloud and cybersecurity. Orange is also a major player in the wholesale market, where it has a leading global telecom infrastructure and significant capabilities for deploying and operating submarine cables. A committed innovator, Orange relies on 700 researchers and holds a portfolio of 11,000 patents.
Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA). More information: www.orange.com.
Orange and any other Orange product or service names mentioned in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited.