Orange, AFD Group, and Proparco have signed a three-year agreement to accelerate digital inclusion and promote sustainable development across 20 countries, primarily in Africa and the Middle East. The partnership will focus on deploying high-speed digital infrastructure, including network backbones and submarine cables, to address connectivity gaps in underserved and rural regions.
That initiative responds to stark disparities in internet access, with only 37% of Sub-Saharan Africa connected compared to over 91% in Europe. Beyond infrastructure, the partnership focuses on improving access to essential digital services in key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education, while also promoting financial and energy inclusion to reduce inequalities and empower remote communities.
A major priority is supporting youth and fostering local innovation through programs that provide digital skills training and professional integration opportunities, enabling young people to participate actively in the digital economy. At the same time, the initiative aims to build vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystems so that communities can become creators, not just consumers, of technology.
Environmental sustainability and ethical responsibility are also at the heart of the collaboration, with strong commitments to reducing the digital sector’s ecological footprint and ensuring responsible practices in areas like data use, cybersecurity, and AI. The partnership seeks to embed inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability into the digital transformation process.
That partnership reflects a shared goal of using digital technology to promote equality and sustainable development, focusing on sovereign, innovative, and locally driven digital services.
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