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 (www.Orange.com), as well as many actors from the continent’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Yasser Shaker, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, said: “In 15 years, POESAM has become far more than an award. With over 17,000 projects received; including 3,000 this year alone; it stands today as Africa’s leading platform for innovation, empowering entrepreneurs who turn challenges into opportunities.”
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, 5 startups among 70 finalists from 17 countries were rewarded for their creativity, their positive impact and will be supported by the Orange Digital Center to accelerate the development of their project and their opening to new markets.
For the International Grand Prize which rewards the first three projects combining measurable social and/or environmental impacts, a strong potential for large-scale development and relying on new technologies, the winners are:
In 15 years, POESAM has become far more than an award
For the special awards, the winners are:
Since its launch, the enthusiasm for OSVP continues to grow with nearly 17,600 applications received, with this year an 82% increase in the number of participations compared to the previous year. This 15th edition, placed under the banner of responsible and inclusive innovation, illustrates the rise of impact entrepreneurship and the growing contribution of women to technological dynamics in Africa and the Middle East.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Orange Middle East and Africa.