Orange signed a partnership agreement with Digital Africa in a move to accelerate support and investment for startups in its incubator centres across Africa and the Middle East.
The partnership was struck at Vivatech in Paris, between Orange Ventures Managing Partner Faycal Adlouni, and Digital Africa CEO Gregoire de Padirac.
The strategy is to provide more support for startups that are based at Orange Digital Centers (ODC) in Africa and the Middle East, stimulating entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.
Orange and Digital Africa stated through the latter’s Fuze scheme, funds for startups can be doubled by either itself or Digital Africa, after joint appraisal of applications. In year one of being enrolled into the ODC network startups can receive up to US$50,000.
ODCs have been deployed in 17 countries across the region, as well as 8 countries in Europe.
Fayçal Adlouni, Managing Partner, Orange Ventures, said: “The Orange Group is fully committed to nurturing the future champions of the technology scene in Africa and the Middle East. This arrangement, involving Orange Middle East and Africa, Orange Ventures and Digital Africa will collectively enable us to concentrate our resources to create an environment conducive to the success of startups in Africa and the Middle East.”
