Morocco | Tamer Emam
In a landmark achievement for digital inclusion across the Middle East and Africa, Alia Sahaly, Director of ODC and CSR at Orange MEA, announced that the Orange Digital Center (ODC) network has reached an unprecedented 1.4 million beneficiaries as of 2025.
During an extensive press tour of the Orange Digital Center in Morocco, Sahaly emphasized that the company’s strategy has evolved beyond mere technical instruction toward a broader mission of “impact manufacturing.”
“Impact starts here, and every action carries value,” Sahaly said, noting that women now represent 42% of the program’s total beneficiaries. The figure highlights Orange’s concerted effort to bridge the digital gender divide across 17 countries.
The Orange Digital Centers operate as an integrated ecosystem designed to shepherd talent from initial training to market-ready entrepreneurship. This pipeline includes:
- The Coding School: Offering free, high-level technical training.
- FabLab: A digital manufacturing laboratory for prototyping and innovation.
- Orange Fab: A dedicated startup accelerator providing mentorship and networking.
- Orange Ventures: The group’s investment arm, which manages a €50 million fund specifically targeting African and Middle Eastern startups.
Now a flagship model for digital empowerment in Egypt, the Middle East, and Africa, the ODCs represent the first time three strategic programs have been consolidated under one roof. The centers provide a comprehensive environment for free training and guidance in critical sectors, including Software Development, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence.
By equipping local youth with these high-demand skills, the ODC network has positioned itself as the Group’s most influential social responsibility arm, effectively transforming the digital labor market across the continent.