Orange, EU and GIZ launch digital transformation project in Côte d'Ivoire

Telecommunications company Orange, the European Union and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) have launched the "DigiGreen & Agri" project toward digital transformation in Côte d'Ivoire.

In a joint statement, the organizations said the project, with an investment of $8 million, is aimed at promoting digital innovation for a transition to a more sustainable and inclusive economy in the West African country.

The organizations said the overall objective of this project is to help create decent jobs, support the development and financing of startups within the ecosystem, and promote sustainable investments.

Furthermore, they said there will be particular emphasis on supporting rural youth, women, girls and people with disabilities through the Orange Digital Center in Côte d'Ivoire.

DigiGreen & Agri Project benefits

The partnership aims to have several strategic objectives and benefits, like improving professional skills, entrepreneurship promotion, development of sustainable digital solutions, and accelerating the growth of seed startups, the statement continued.

By working closely with local stakeholders, Orange, the European Union and GIZ said they are committed to supporting young talent, promoting entrepreneurship and catalyzing economic development in the most vulnerable communities.

The DigiGreen & Agri project is aimed at promoting digital innovation for a transition to a more sustainable and inclusive economy in the West African country. (Source: www.slon.pics on Freepik)

European Union Côte d'Ivoire Ambassador Francesca Di Mauro said the project reflected the European desire to strengthen smart, clean and secure links in the digital sector, one of the pillars of the Global Gateway strategy.

"It is also the result of an excellent collaboration between the private and public sectors in team Europe format: Orange's expertise and investments, in synergy with the development aid resources of the EU and Germany, are mobilized for the inclusive growth of the country," Di Mauro added.

"Technical and financial support for startups will help create jobs and build the capacity of young entrepreneurs to come up with innovative ideas to strengthen the agricultural sector, especially the sustainable cocoa sector," added GIZ Director of Division Axel Klaphake.

Orange Middle East and Africa CEO Jérôme Hénique said the telco's commitment to sustainable development and innovation is once again taking shape through its partnerships supporting the digital transformation of the cocoa sector in Côte d'Ivoire.

"The Orange Digital Centers are essential vectors of this transformation, offering a free and open innovation ecosystem, with a particular focus on youth, women and vulnerable people," Hénique continued.

Orange digital transformation partnerships

Orange has engaged in various partnerships to open digital centers on the continent.

In March 2023, it opened its 15th digital center in the Democratic Republic of Congo, an ecosystem entirely dedicated to the development of digital skills and innovation.

Orange has built similar Digital Centers in places like Sierra Leone, Botswana, Tunisia, Senegal, Ethiopia, Mali, Egypt, Jordan, Madagascar, Morocco, Liberia, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroon.

Earlier this month, Ericsson and Orange Egypt signed a multi-year deal to collaborate on accelerating the telco's digital transformation and building a resilient architecture across its network.

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*Top image features representatives from Orange, the European Union and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). (Source: Orange.)

— Matshepo Sehloho, Associate Editor, Connecting Africa