In a landmark move set to boost cross-continental entrepreneurship, Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) has partnered with France’s regional development agency, risingSUD, to ease the entry of African and Middle Eastern startups into Europe through the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.

The strategic agreement, signed at the Viva Technology trade show in Paris by Jérôme Hénique, CEO of OMEA, and Bernard Kleynhoff, President of risingSUD, marks a significant shift in how African startups can access international markets. 

Over the next three years, startups nurtured within Orange’s Digital Center network will gain customized support to establish operations in one of France’s most economically vibrant regions, home to over half a million businesses and a growing innovation ecosystem.

This partnership not only supports African startups seeking European footholds but also strengthens the South of France as a hub connecting Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The initiative builds on existing momentum; in 2024 alone, risingSUD helped 14 African firms establish a presence in the region, including Guépard, a Tunisian startup from the Orange Digital Center, which recently opened an office in Marseille.

“This partnership with risingSUD marks a key step in our ambition to promote African innovation internationally,” said Hénique. “It is in line with the support we offer startups through our Orange Digital Centers.“

For Rising SUD, the partnership reinforces its vision of the Southern region as a magnet for foreign investment and innovation. “Thanks to its strategic position, its historical trade flows and its commitment to innovation, the Southern region is a natural bridge between Europe, Africa and the Middle East. It is today the leading French region for hosting African investment projects,” Kleynhoff stated. “This partnership opens up new economic opportunities and constitutes a real springboard for the development of businesses on both sides of the Mediterranean.”

Orange Digital Centers, active in 17 countries across Africa and the Middle East and 8 in Europe, offer an integrated approach to entrepreneurship, combining digital training, incubation, acceleration, and access to financing. 

Through this new alliance, African startups can plug into RisingSUD’s network for mentorship, funding access, and strategic partnerships, gaining a critical edge in the European market.