French telecommunications services company Orange, via Orange Business Services, has welcomed the French government's decision to award the French Tech label to the city of Cape Town at the end of January.

This announcement came as part of the French Tech Hub program launched a year ago, which promotes the vitality of the Francophile tech ecosystem abroad.

The purpose of the French Tech Hub program is to create a bridge between French and South African entrepreneurs, particularly within the digital innovation space.

It will support the emergence of French startups in South Africa and assist South African start-ups to expand in France, through partnerships with the nine local French Tech Hubs.

Orange Business Services is one of the founding members of the French Tech Hub in Cape Town.

Cape Town's labelling comes after that of cities such as New York, San Francisco, Tokyo and Israel, and in line with that of Moscow, Montreal, Hong Kong, London, Barcelona and Abidjan.

The title was presented in Paris by France's Minister of Economy, Finances and Industry, Emmanuel Macron, and Deputy Minister for Digital Affairs, Axelle Lemaire.

"France is ranked as the 9th largest investor in South Africa, with more than 300 French companies operating within the country. Obtaining the French Tech label shows that South Africa stands out as a major technological hub in Africa, and the world," says Yannick Decaux, South Africa Country Manager, Orange Business Services.

"We have been operating in South Africa and connecting South Africa to the World for 66 years and this recognition confirms the relevance of our decision to have South Africa as our regional headquarter for Africa."