Orange Tunisia has announced the winners of the 16th national edition of its Orange Social Entrepreneurship Award for Africa and the Middle East, known as POESAM. The winners were revealed at a ceremony held in Tunis on September 3, 2026.
This year’s competition attracted 156 technology and social-impact projects spanning education, healthcare, agriculture, energy, transport and the environment. Six finalists presented their ventures to a jury of entrepreneurship, investment and innovation experts.
Anis Ben Ghalia won first place for CHITELIX, a biotech project that converts blue crab waste into chitosan and other sustainable biomaterials. Amel Chaabane took second place with PigmentOCO, which develops more sustainable textile technologies, while Najah Cherif ranked third with HandiSuccess International, a platform supporting employment for people with disabilities.
Chaabane also received the National Women’s Award, organised for the second year with support from the United Nations Development Programme in Tunisia and funding from Canada. The award recognises a women-led entrepreneurial project.
The top three winners received TND 15,000, TND 10,000 and TND 5,000, respectively. The women’s award comes with TND 10,000 in equipment and resources.
The Tunisian winners will compete in POESAM’s international final alongside projects from 16 other countries. Three women-led Tunisian projects are also eligible for the international women’s award.
Source: Successful Tunisia
