Orange Middle East and Africa collaborates with Microsoft to accelerate the digital transformation of SMEs across the region.

Microsoft and Orange are collaborating to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa adopt digital technologies and further contribute to the economic development of the continent.

The pair announced their collaboration yesterday at the Mobile World Congress, currently being held in Spain.

The deal with Orange Middle East and Africa (MEA) was sealed by Microsoft’s Africa Transformation Office, which is focused on offering the company’s solutions to SMEs across 17 countries in MEA region.

Through this partnership, Microsoft and Orange aim to support 15,000 businesses throughout 2024, with an ambition to eventually reach one million SMEs, by providing access to technology, tools and support to accelerate adoption and promote digital inclusion.

In a statement, the companies said they will focus on three key areas:

• using Orange’s distribution network to provide SMEs with access to Microsoft solutions, such as Microsoft 365, Copilot, Azure, and Dynamics 365, as well as facilitating the upskilling of Microsoft experts within each country;

• preparing SMEs for digital adoption through training, marketing, and sales support programmes and adapting to modern work solutions; and

• establishing a joint steering committee to oversee the performance of the partnership.

Jérôme Hénique, CEO, Orange MEA, stated: "This collaboration with Microsoft is a significant step in our commitment to support the digital transformation of African businesses."

Lillian Barnard, president, Microsoft Africa, added: “SMEs are the engine of economic growth in Africa. By collaborating with Orange, we can help them adopt digital technologies and unleash their full potential to create jobs, stimulate innovation, and contribute to the economic development of the continent."