“Our ambition to provide the best service to our 161 million customers in Africa and the Middle East means our innovation efforts are focused on enabling the best possible digital experience.”
Yasser Shaker is Executive Vice President and CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa since July 2025. With 28 years of experience in the telecom sector, he previously led the successful turnaround of Orange Egypt, restoring growth and market leadership. A visionary and purpose-driven leader, Yasser now oversees operations across 18 countries, serving over 160 million customers. Under his leadership, Orange MEA is not only expanding connectivity but also driving financial inclusion, digital sovereignty, and sustainable innovation. His strategic vision harnesses technologies such as AI, 5G, IoT, and cloud to unlock growth, empower local ecosystems, and create lasting social impact. A telecom engineer with an MBA, Yasser speaks four languages and is actively engaged in youth empowerment and talent development across the continent.
Zoom - Orange Social Ventures Prize: Award Ceremony for Social Innovators in Africa & the Middle East – 21st October at the Better Future Stage – 4.30pm
Join us on October 21st at 4.30pm, for the 15th edition of the awards ceremony in the Better Future Stage during the MWC25 Kigali, a unique opportunity to discover the region’s most promising social innovators during an afternoon dedicated to celebrating innovation, impact, and social entrepreneurship.
On the 15th edition of OSVP, Orange revealed the winners of this anniversary edition during the international ceremony organized at the Mobile World Congress Kigali in Rwanda. The event was held in the presence of Yasser Shaker, Chief Executive Officer of Orange Middle East and Africa, as well as many actors from the continent’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Several startups supported by Orange will be present on stage for the ceremony. This will be an opportunity to meet them.
Created in 2011, the Orange Social Ventures Prize (OSVP) for Social Entrepreneurs in Africa and the Middle East illustrates Orange’s commitment over the last 15 years to stimulate technological innovation in the service of sustainable development and inclusion.
In 2025, nearly 3,000 projects from 17 countries were submitted, resulting in the selection of 70 national winners. A total of 15 finalists was reviewed by the Grand Jury on the 2nd October, composed of distinguished experts in social entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development :
5 startups among 70 finalists from 17 countries were rewarded for their creativity and positive impact and will be supported by the Orange Digital Center to accelerate the development of their project and their opening to new markets. These finalists are now competing for the program’s most prestigious distinctions: the International Grand Prize and the International Women’s Prize.
During the ceremony, a total of €80,000 will be awarded to outstanding positive impacts startups across Africa and the Middle East. The high-value prizes include :
- International Grand Prize
- First Prize: €25,000
- Second Prize: €15,000
- Third Prize: €10,000
- International Women’s Prize – €20,000
Awarded to a project led by a woman or aimed at improving the lives of women through innovative social or environmental solutions.
- Jury’s Special Prize – €10,000
Awarded to a project deploying bold ideas and impactful solutions making a real difference in their communities.