Latest Orange Summer Challenge announced three Francophone African startups winners
The most recent Orange Summer Challenge, which gives entrepreneurs three months to turn an idea into a business, has named three Francophone African startups as its winners this year.
Established in 2011, the Orange Summer Challenge is the premier event of the Orange Digital Centers network in the Middle East and Africa, with the goal of encouraging youth to create technology startups for the benefit of society.
282 young innovators and entrepreneurs from 14 countries benefited from intensive support in the 2025 edition, which included coaching, mentoring, and training from Orange experts and its partners, AWS, EY, and NOKIA. Together, they created 57 startups with the Tech4Impact theme.
Three startups were chosen as the winners at a closing awards ceremony in Casablanca. They were chosen by an international jury and by Orange employees in the Middle East and Africa.
Plastikoo of Madagascar, which reduces pollution and fosters the sustainable development of local communities by converting plastic waste into sustainable building materials, took first place. MEPS from Tunisia, which uses IoT to turn organic waste into clean biogas and fertilizer, came in second, and Leevlong, a medical device that allows for real-time vital sign monitoring, came in third.
Orange Digital Centers and their partners will provide financial, technical, and commercial support to the winners. Orange will provide a reward of EUR20,000 (US $21,000) to support young talent engaged in these significant projects, while NOKIA will grant EUR40,000 to finance the pre-incubation and incubation of projects (US $42,000).
“For 15 years, the Orange Summer Challenge has supported thousands of young talents in their entrepreneurial adventure. This new edition once again illustrates the ability of African and Middle Eastern youth to innovate and respond to the societal challenges of our continent. Congratulations to the winners and all the participants for their commitment and creativity,” said Brelotte Ba, deputy CEO of Orange Africa and the Middle East.
