This new partnership will strengthen the synergies and increase the dissemination of best practices and innovations in the digital sector
PARIS, France, June 13, 2025/APO Group/ --
- The Orange group and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group announce the signing of a framework agreement at VivaTech 2025 making Orange the reference partner in digital matters.
- This unprecedented agreement with a telecom operator aims to strengthen cooperation between the two groups to improve access to digital services, support innovation and accelerate environmental transition in their common areas of intervention.
Christel Heydemann, CEO of Orange (www.Orange.com), Rémy Rioux, CEO of AFD Group, and Françoise Lombard, CEO of Proparco, signed an innovative partnership agreement to jointly accelerate digital inclusion and sustainable digital development. The three-year agreement provides a structured framework for cooperation on expertise and the emergence of joint projects internationally. It covers 17 countries in the Africa-Middle East region where Orange is present, as well as Moldova and French overseas departments. Priority themes include:

Orange Becomes the Strategic Partner of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group for digital initiatives
- Digital inclusion of populations through the deployment of strategic infrastructure (ex. backbone equipment of very high-speed networks and submarine cables);
- Financial and energy inclusion, and access to e-services (agriculture, health, education), especially in rural areas;
- Reduction of the environmental footprint of digital technology;
- Training and professional integration through digital tools;
- Support for innovation and entrepreneurship;
- Forward-looking discussions on ethical data use, security and artificial intelligence for development.
As a multi-service operator and key partner in the digital transformation of the Africa-Middle East region, Orange has already opened 16 Orange Digital Centers and 32 Orange Digital Center Clubs in partnership with universities. These are free and accessible to all, and are designed to promote digital inclusion among youth and foster entrepreneurship.
AFD Group supports public authorities, businesses, civil society and innovative ecosystems in their transition toward a more open, accessible and responsible digital world. It works alongside its partners to leverage digital solutions to achieve their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
On the basis of this experience, Orange and AFD Group have worked together for over 20 years on various projects, such as supporting the deployment of fixed and mobile telecom networks for Orange subsidiaries in Jordan and Senegal, training youth in digital tools through Orange Foundations in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Madagascar and Tunisia, and supporting coding training programs at Orange Digital Centers in Jordan.
This new partnership will strengthen the synergies and increase the dissemination of best practices and innovations in the digital sector. It reflects a renewed ambition aimed at striving towards digital equality and SDG achievement through innovative solutions and collaborative initiatives.
On signing the agreement, Christel Heydemann, CEO of Orange, stated:"This strategic partnership with AFD Group marks an important milestone in our collaboration. I look forward to continuing this dynamic of international cooperation for a more inclusive and sustainable digital future, reinforcing Orange’s commitment to expanding access to digital technology everywhere we operate. "
Rémy Rioux, CEO of AFD Group, said: "AFD Group believes that digital technology is a powerful lever for transforming a diverse range of sectors, including public services, education, health and entrepreneurship. This first strategic partnership with Orange exemplifies this shared ambition to support the emergence of sovereign digital services at a local level by investing in solutions that are innovative, open and responsible."
Françoise Lombard, CEO of Proparco, added: "Proparco, AFD Group’s subsidiary dedicated to the private sector, is fully committed to strengthening its partnership with Orange, both strategically and operationally. By combining our networks, expertise and resources, we are working with determination to improve digital access for all in France and emerging countries."
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Orange Middle East and Africa.Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies under the brand Orange Business. In February 2023, the Group presented its strategic plan "Lead the Future", built on a new business model and guided by responsibility and efficiency. "Lead the Future" capitalizes on network excellence to reinforce Orange's leadership in service quality.
Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA).
Brother Goth cut down on this 'His Excellecy;' and Honorble' thing you preface your news items with. No one uses them anymore. Just plain Somaliland Vice Mr Abdirahman Saylici met with …should do. This should apply to all politicians including the President
Good for development, job creation and good for recognition for Somaliland sovereignty. Anyone against is an enemy of Somaliland. Thanks to the Kulmiye government and specially the president and the Minister for foreign affairs yet for another mission accomplished.
Good for Somaliland indeed. Hope one of these projects is actually implemented. I bet moronic Berberawis wil demonstrate against this too. Fu7nny how they never demonstrated when Siyad Barre gave the Port to Russi and the mountains to North Korea. Not a beep.
Now they are all mouth.
Isaq waa gun guntuna isma indha buuxiso. Wisest words I ever heard.
kabocalaf
Dadka xaal sii. Reer Berbera hady gun yihiin, dadkoo dhami gun maaha.
Certainly, Berbera reversed to medieval era because of Ibhrahim-Dhegaweyne and his cohorts. I still remember the old days when Berbera was the only civilized city in Somaliland where all nationalities and tribes live together happily without tribalism and racism.
Haa Isaaq oo dhan ayaa gun ah. Guntu isma indha buuxiso oo wey isu urtaa sida orgida markaasay geesaha is dartaa. Markay Xayawaan kale arkaan xataa bisad jaanta ayey ka rogtaa!
Car mid reer Berbera ahi haka jawabo su'aashan: Markii Siyad Barre ina haystay ee uu Dekedda Berbera siiyay Ruushanka immisa reer Berbera ahbaa mudaaharaaday? Markuu sibidhka siiyay North Korea imisaa dhagax tuuray?
Ma arkeen(ma aha Reer Berbera oo keliya, ceebta weynnu wad leenahay) mid inaadeerkood ah oo Isaq ah markaasay giir iska wada kicinyaan oo dhbi lisanayaan.
War gun beynnu nahaee aan iska aqblanoo u yeedhano cid shisheeya ah oo ina xukunta kuwaasaynnu qiimeynne.
Waxa laguu sheegayaa reer Berbera qof buka ceeb ayay ku noqonaysaa in ay la tirsadaan. Ta kale sare laguula hadal oo hoos laguula hadal. Mayaadan dhego lahayn. Waxa lagu yidhi qof daciifa oo laga adkaaday ayuunbaa ku dul wareega qabyaalada. Sidee wax kaa yihiin ma biyo ajoobay mise biyo calcelis ah baa lagugu canqariyay. Reer Berbera xaqooday ka dhacsanayaan dawlada baa lagu yidhi sidii reer Caynaba ay xaqooda u dhacsadeen ee dagaalka ka rideen. Markaa raali ahaw lagula tirsan maayee.
Isaq waa gun waa gun, gun aan adiga ahayn kuma aragno halkan imika. Haddii aad ujeedo kale leedahay iska cadayso waa raganimo eh. Habeen wanaagsan.
Kabocalaf iyo Gulaidba waa isku hal qof oo magacyada badsanaya. Waxaan ku leeyahay kabocalafow waxxba kumaad hadlin hadaanu reer berbera nahayna xaal kaama doonayno sababto ah waxaad na tustay inaad caqli kugu filan aadan lahayn. Shimbiraha lalaayee ku dabaasha laydhaa ee laaleys baa ku dhaama.
Sharikadan la sheegayona hadii dani noogu jirtona waanu soo dhoweyn hadii kalena jidaafaha ayaanu u laabi. Siilaanyona waxba kama qaban karo sidii wershedii sibidhka.
Ta kale xasuuso 25% oo ah block 6 (oodweyne) inaad siiseen Ibrahim oo HJ ah. Intaydin siiseen reer yoonisna oo ah block 13 way soo bixi. Markaas inaanu foojigaanu oonu xaqayaga dhacsano waa nagu waajib.
Dhegihii baad iga gufaysaye aan kaa raaxaysto oo dhegaysto laaleeys ee hawada iiga baxa.
Siilaany, Siilaanyo. Siilaanyo has put on hold all efforts to seek political recognition from the world community. He even refused the valuable advice of some members of the European parliament who wisely advised him back in 2011 nt to limit efforts for the deplomatic recognition with only talks with the shakey weak and failed state of Somalia; but to adopt a dual truck foreign policy by fiercely engaging the international community for that politcal recognition in parallel line with opening talks with Somalia for the sam purpose. He blocked all efforts to restore the re-recognition of the statehood for the sake of filling his pockets and enriching himself and his family members at the very cost of the political recognition for our nation. The country under Siilaanyo the triator is in total collapse. Half of the country on the eastern regions is occupied by faqash remnats milita. Buuhoodle and Taleeh are no go area, talks with Somalia will never result in the two state solution, and every thing is at shambles. It is time to save the country from Siilaanyo.
I am afraid you are right Baaruud, unfortunately.
Here is proof of Siilaanyo's indecisiveness and weaknesses. Fiqi Fuliye community are pleading with him to honor the agreements that were signed in that famous public announcement made few months ago. Watch and see their pleas for yourself.
Tape starts in the middle. Rewind it to start from the beginning.
I do not know where all these hatred and crap chauvinistic triblism is coming. I live in Somaliland and specially in Berbera and we live in peace and prosperity. Had there been a problem we would have been the first to notice. Please do not believe what the politicians tell you, they are just competing to win seats and do not consider the consequences of their empty speeches. Let them not waste your time and each of you must try to participate in the development of your country and not destroying it.
You can criticize both the government and the opposition respectfully and be truthful in your accusation. Insults and counter insults have no place in our religion and not in our Somaliland culture. Berbera is for all and Saraar too.
Generalizations and stereotyping are the signs of ignorance. Smart people rebuttal ideas and do not hide behind a clan or attack a clan. Because someone from a certain clan has made a statement you don't like, it does not give you the license to attack a whole population. The mentally challenged ones are those who will most likely choose to attack people on tribal bases. Clannish attack is nothing more than shouting for help, because you feel helpless and defeated.
If you chose to blind fold yourself and selectively see only the clan of your opponent then you are a loser and deserve no public response.
Isaaq is Isaaq after all we have been thru and all the enemies sharpening knives for our necks do we really have time to be against each other? Calm yourselves down and think, when Somaliland prospers everyone prospers so solve your problems like brothers and quit this sub clan bs or we will end up like Hawiye tore up from the floor up