Orange Middle East and Africa and Smart Africa have announced a partnership on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress Africa in Kigali, promising to revolutionize digital education, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities across the continent.
At the heart of this partnership lies a shared commitment to empowering Africa’s youth. Through the Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA) and the Orange Digital Center (ODC) network spanning 16 countries in Africa and the Middle East, young Africans will have access to cutting-edge digital skills training. These programs are not just limited to the tech-savvy; they are inclusive, designed to reach diverse audiences and bridge the digital divide.
A key focus of this collaboration is fostering innovative entrepreneurship. By providing comprehensive support in sectors vital to Africa’s growth such as environment, e-agriculture, e-health, and e-commerce, Orange and Smart Africa aim to catalyze a wave of innovation. The Orange Digital Center (ODC) serves as a hub for startup acceleration, offering mentorship, funding, and a conducive environment for entrepreneurs to thrive. This initiative is poised to drive the creation of homegrown solutions to address local challenges.
Beyond education and entrepreneurship, the partnership is geared towards accelerating Africa’s digital transformation. By advocating for digitalization, sharing knowledge, and assessing government digital maturity, Orange and Smart Africa are laying the groundwork for a digitally empowered continent. This collaboration comes at a pivotal moment, aligning with the continent’s vision for a tech-driven future.
Lacina Koné, CEO of Smart Africa, expressed his optimism about the collaboration, stating, “Empowering African citizens, young people especially, to equip them for the jobs of the future has been key to our digital transformation efforts. Joining efforts with Orange will expedite our collective efforts in this regard.”
Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing, “This partnership will contribute to the objective shared between Smart Africa and Orange, namely to develop the digital skills of the African youth, especially women, while supporting innovative entrepreneurship. This is part of our commitment to actively contribute to the digital transformation of the continent.”
