One of Sierra Leone’s Leading Telecom Company, Orange-SL, as part of its initiative to help the country meet global standard in digital space, on Friday 10th February 2023, unveiled the Orange Sierra Leone Fab Center, at Cole Farm, Wilkinson Road, Freetown.
Alimamy, Orange-SL Communications Officer, taking journalist on a conducted tour of the facility, stated that the Orange Digital center is a free skills training center for youths of all categories, and it’s designed to improve their skills, as well as the digital space.
He stated that the Orange Digital Centre houses four strategic programs: the coding school, the FabLab Solidaire, Orange Fab and Orange Digital Ventures Africa. This network of free and inclusive resources supports local start-ups and projects, using digital technology.
In his statement, Sekou Amadou Bah , Chief Executive Officer of Orange-SL(CEO), thanked all who contributed to what he described as “a land mark achievement for the country in the digital space”, and the inauguration of the 14th Orange Digital Center, the first digital ecosystem entirely dedicated to the development of digital skills and innovation in Sierra Leone, adding that Orange is proud to join in the footsteps of 13 other Orange Affiliates in Africa and the Middle East, in accelerating innovation and digital growth.
CEO Sekou Bah sated that the Orange Digital Center will provide state-of-the-art facilities that are free for all, and is a reinforcement of their strong ambition to democratize digital access for young people, especially women, and give them an opportunity to pursue their venture into digital entrepreneurship.
He continued that the centre at the moment, is composed of a coding school, a solidarity FabLab, which is a digital manufacturing workshop, an Orange Fab, start-up accelerator and supported by Orange Ventures Africa and Middle East, adding that the investment fund of Orange Group has invested in the most talented startups. Orange Digital Center supports the development of innovative entrepreneurship, with adapted support throughout the startup’s life cycle.
CEO Amadu furthered that in 2022, out of 17 countries, the international Orange Social Venture Prize was won by a Sierra Leonean, Joseph Koroma, (who was also present at the center) for his innovative project, ‘life blood’, and was awarded a grand prize of 25,000 Euros. He disclosed that Joseph now employs 20 learners from the Orange Digital Center in his start-up, which is a nice proof of the synergies that exist within the ODC community. He continued that within just one year of existence, more than 1600 young people have been trained through their Orange Digital Centre and in the Community Centres in the regions, 52% of which are women. He stated that the establishment of the Orange Digital Centre is a commitment to ensure that young people have the needed skills to be competitive in the job market, and also get the needed resources and mentoring to become entrepreneurs and support the socio-economic development of Mama Salone, adding that the inauguration of the Digital Centre continues to echo Orange’s strong commitment towards supporting the government’s National Innovation and Digital Strategy to boost digital transformation through enhanced digital skills, and to facilitate the growth of digital tools, as critical enablers for our digital economy.
He, however, thanked all partners, including German Cooperation, for their support, maintaining that they share a common goal to train young people in digital skills, improve their employability and boost entrepreneurship.
CEO Amadu also extended appreciation to their counterpart in Sonatel and the Orange Group for providing Sierra Leone with this great opportunity, and also expressed appreciation to the former CEO of Orange Sierra Leone, Mrs. Aminata Kane Ndiaye, for laying the foundation and the groundwork to launch the Orange Digital Centre Sierra Leone, and Madam Jestina Betts and her efficient team for their immense work to set up and run the ODC. He ended by assuring all that Orange-SL is committed to be a trusted partner for digital transformation.
Afissatou Sall Gaye, Director of Audit, Risk and Quality Management at Sonatel, expressed happiness in being able to witness this epoch making ceremony, graced by partners and wonderful Sierra Leoneans, she furthered that the Orange Digital Centre is the 14th on the continent, and the fourth of the SONATEL group, adding that the Digital Centre will help to train thousands of Sierra Leoneans free of charge in new digital technology, and enable them to become producers of content and technologies, well beyond simple consumers, and reinforce their employability.
Madam Gaye expressed gratitude to all their partners, with particular reference to the German Cooperation, with whom they share a common belief on the impact that this Orange Digital Centre will have in Sierra Leone.
‘’This ecosystem set up today is based, above all, on a common vision of shared development that involves digital technology, solid and lasting partnerships. We are open to partnerships that could complement our system to offer, to as many people as possible, access and support for best uses of new technologies…” she said.
Through the strengthening of its network, the Orange Digital Centre enables a great exchange of experiences and expertise from one country to another, and offers a simple and inclusive approach to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship and support the local digital fabric. It will provide a real and concrete impact to all the actors of the digital economy, and will give opportunities to innovators to work together beyond borders.
“The establishment of our Orange Digital Center is one of the testaments that Orange is here to stay! To enhance our capacity for future investment in the country, we need the support of the government to create an enabling fiscal regime that will foster the success of Orange and strengthen the sustainability of our investment to continue to make meaningful impact on the young Sierra Leoneans and enhancing job creation and entrepreneurship’’ she said.
Madam Gaye concluded that Orange Sonatel has the ambition of being the preferred partner for the digital transformation of countries. It is a sincere bet for the future of a more developed youth population in Sierra Leone, better trained and equipped to approach serenely the present and future challenges.
The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Sierra Leone, Jens Kraus-Massé, notes: “am delighted to see that our cooperation with Orange contributes to realizing the vision of a digital, innovative and resilient future of Sierra Leone and its people. Our aim is to empower every woman, every girl, every man, and every boy no matter from what background, to take advantage of the opportunities of digitalisation, to get better jobs and eventually a better live for them and their families. Therefore, I am glad that our cooperation with Orange works to this end.
Complementary statements applauding Orange’s massive investment in the transformation that comes with technology were made by both government officials and Diplomats who graced the occasion. Students under training at the centre also testified on how they have been able to improve their skills in the areas of Entrepreneurship and innovations, courtesy of the Digital Centre. The ceremony was climaxed by a conducted tour of the facility by all present.
