Business startup competition

Orange MEA Awards 3 Startups

Analysis based on 7 articles · First reported Feb 16, 2026 · Last updated Feb 19, 2026

Sentiment

Attention

Articles

Market Impact

Direct

Live prominence charts, article sentiment distribution, and event development timeline available on the NewsDesk Dashboard

Market Impact

The event positively impacts the telecommunications and technology sectors in Africa and the Middle East by fostering innovation and supporting new startups. It enhances the reputation of Orange Group and its partners as key players in regional digital transformation and entrepreneurship.

Telecommunications Technology Venture Capital

Event Summary

Orange S.A.===Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) held the 3rd International Orange Summer Challenge (OSC) Award Ceremony on February 4, 2026, recognizing three innovative startups from Africa and the Middle East. The Orange Summer Challenge, a flagship program of the Orange Digital Centers network, supports young entrepreneurs in developing technology-based solutions with social and environmental impact. For the 2025 edition, 369 innovators from 14 countries received intensive support, leading to 56 startup projects under the 'Startup4Good' theme, with partners like Amazon.com===Amazon Web Services, Meta Platforms, UNDP, The Hashgraph Association, and Dar Blockchain. The first prize went to SafeGuard (Jordan) for workplace accident prevention, the second to GasNika (Madagascar) for biogas production, and the third to DripIn (Tunisia) for AI-powered water leak detection. The winning startups will receive a total grant of €50,000, along with financial, technical, and business support from Orange Digital Centers and OMEA, reinforcing Orange's commitment to technological entrepreneurship and sustainable development in the region.

Key Actions

90 Orange S.A.===Orange Middle East and Africa awarded three innovative start-ups

85 Orange S.A.===Orange Middle East and Africa provided financial, technical and business support SafeGuard

85 Orange S.A.===Orange Middle East and Africa provided financial, technical and business support GasNika

85 Orange S.A.===Orange Middle East and Africa provided financial, technical and business support DripIn

80 SafeGuard won first prize in Orange Summer Challenge

70 GasNika won second prize in Orange Summer Challenge

70 DripIn won third prize in Orange Summer Challenge

Entities Involved

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Orange S.A.===Orange Middle East and Africa

Orange S.A.===Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) is the direct organizer of the Orange Summer Challenge, providing intensive support to young innovators and awarding grants to the winning startups. OMEA's commitment to technological entrepreneurship and youth employability is reaffirmed through this program.

Importance 95 Sentiment 30

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Orange Group

Orange Group, through its subsidiary Orange S.A.===Orange Middle East and Africa, is the main organizer and sponsor of the Orange Summer Challenge, providing financial, technical, and business support to the winning startups. This initiative enhances Orange Group's reputation as a supporter of innovation and digital inclusion in Africa and the Middle East.

Importance 90 Sentiment 30

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SafeGuard

SafeGuard, a startup from Jordan, won the first prize in the Orange Summer Challenge for its smart device to prevent workplace accidents. This award provides SafeGuard with financial, technical, and business support, accelerating its development and market entry.

Importance 80 Sentiment 70

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GasNika

GasNika, a startup from Madagascar, won the second prize for its biogas production solution. This recognition and support will help GasNika scale its operations and impact in sustainable energy.

Importance 70 Sentiment 60

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DripIn

DripIn, a startup from Tunisia, won the third prize for its AI-powered solution to detect water leaks. The award provides DripIn with crucial resources to further develop and deploy its water optimization technology.

Importance 70 Sentiment 60

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Ben Cheick Haidara

Ben Cheick Haidara, Deputy CEO and Chief Operations Officer of Orange S.A.===Orange Middle East and Africa, highlighted the importance of the Orange Summer Challenge as a catalyst for talent and innovation. His statements underscore Orange's commitment to supporting youth and fostering high-impact innovation.

Importance 50 Sentiment 10

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Amazon.com===Amazon Web Services

Amazon.com===Amazon Web Services is a key partner in the Orange Summer Challenge, providing support to the startup projects. This collaboration helps Amazon.com===Amazon Web Services expand its reach and influence within the African and Middle Eastern startup ecosystem.

Importance 40 Sentiment 10

+ 7 more entities View on Dashboard

Relationships

Orange S.A.===Orange Middle East and Africa related ↔ Orange Group

Amazon.com===Amazon Web Services related ↔ Orange S.A.===Orange Middle East and Africa

Meta Platforms related ↔ Orange S.A.===Orange Middle East and Africa

International===United Nations Development Programme related ↔ Orange S.A.===Orange Middle East and Africa

The Hashgraph Association related ↔ Orange S.A.===Orange Middle East and Africa

Dar Blockchain related ↔ Orange S.A.===Orange Middle East and Africa

Ben Cheick Haidara related ↔ Orange S.A.===Orange Middle East and Africa

Orange Group related ↔ SafeGuard

Orange Group related ↔ GasNika

Orange Group related ↔ DripIn

+ 6 more relationships View on Dashboard

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