Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) has announced the three winning startups of its 3rd International Orange Summer Challenge (OSC), following an award ceremony on February 4, 2026. The competition, a flagship program of the Orange Digital Center network, recognized innovative projects from Jordan, Madagascar, and Tunisia, underscoring the region’s growing talent in impact-driven entrepreneurship.
Fostering Impact-Driven Innovation
The 2025 edition of the Orange Summer Challenge brought together 369 young innovators from 14 countries across the Middle East and Africa. Over three months, participants received intensive support, including training, mentoring, and access to technological expertise from Orange MEA teams and its Orange Digital Centers.
Under the theme “Startup4Good,” a total of 56 startup projects were developed, targeting key sectors such as environment, health, education, and agriculture. The initiative was supported by key global partners, including Amazon Web Services, Meta, UNDP, The Hashgraph Association, and Dar Blockchain.
MENA Innovators Shine
Startups from the MENA region secured two of the top three spots, highlighting their leadership in developing practical solutions for pressing local and global challenges. The winning teams will share a total grant of €50,000 to accelerate their development, alongside continued technical and business support from Orange.
The first prize was awarded to SafeGuard from Jordan for its smart device designed to prevent workplace accidents through intelligent risk detection.
The third prize went to DripIn from Tunisia for its AI-powered connected solution that detects water leaks and optimizes consumption, addressing critical water scarcity issues.
GasNika from Madagascar secured the second prize for its innovative solution that produces biogas from waste and includes organic fertilizer valorization.
A Catalyst For Regional Talent
The program reflects Orange’s commitment to positioning its Digital Centers as inclusive platforms for innovation that nurture local talent and address societal needs.
As stated by Ben Cheick Haidara, Deputy CEO and Chief Operations Officer of Orange Middle East and Africa: “For more than 16 years, Orange Summer Challenge has been a true catalyst for talent and innovation. More than competition, this program enables young entrepreneurs to develop technology-based solutions, notably leveraging artificial intelligence, to address societal and environmental challenges in a very concrete way. Through the Orange Digital Centers, Orange is firmly committed to supporting youth and fostering high-impact innovation across Africa and the Middle East.”
About Orange Summer Challenge
The Orange Summer Challenge is an annual international competition and support program run by the Orange Digital Center network. It is designed to empower young talents across the Middle East and Africa by helping them transform their innovative ideas into technology-based solutions with a strong social and environmental impact.
Source: Zawya
