To assist African startups in expanding into South of France, Orange and risingSUD collaborated

RisingSUD and Orange Middle East and Africa have partnered strategically to help African startups launch and expand within the Orange Digital Center network in the South of France’s Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.

The goal of the three-year collaboration is to connect innovation ecosystems in South France, the Middle East, and Africa. In particular, the teams at risingSUD, the economic development and attractiveness agency for the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, will provide customized assistance to startups from the Orange Digital Center network so they can establish themselves in the South of France.

As a result, they will join a vibrant area that already has 500,000 businesses, including startups and world-renowned corporations creating the future.

Orange reaffirms its commitment to fostering the growth of the continent’s entrepreneurial ecosystems and fortifies its support for the internationalization of Middle Eastern and African startups with this partnership.

The Orange Digital Center network is a free and open ecosystem that is spread across eight European countries and 17 African and Middle Eastern countries. Digital skills training for youth, project leader support, incubation, acceleration, and startup funding are all gathered in one location.

Guépard, a startup from the Orange Digital Center in Tunisia, opened an office in Marseille as one of 14 African businesses that risingSUD helped establish in the South of France in 2024 alone. More startups from the Middle East and Africa will be able to take advantage of risingSUD’s experience in project development, financing, and international partner networking thanks to this partnership. Additionally, it will make the Orange Digital Centers network more accessible to startups and talent from the South.

“This partnership with risingSUD marks a key step in our ambition to promote African innovation internationally. It is a continuation of the support we offer startups through our Orange Digital Centres. By facilitating their establishment and acceleration in France, particularly in the South region, we are giving young African companies the means to accelerate their growth,” said Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa.