18 Oct 2020

Orange Botswana CEO, Dr Patrick Benon, says the company continues to recognise and reward talented Batswana willing to take the country to another level through technology and innovation.

Officiating at the 10th Orange Social Venture prize giving ceremony in Gaborone recently, he said the event was meant to celebrate innovation that enhanced the country’s socio-economic status.  

Dr Benon said even though the COVID-19 pandemic posed great challenges to the economy and the people’s daily lives resulting in far reaching consequences, the pandemic nonetheless had been a strong driver for creativity.

“Our strategy at Orange is to support young entrepreneurs to innovate, hence Orange annually giving recognition to innovative individuals and start-ups which have a positive impact in essential fields such as agriculture, education, healthcare, mobile payment and sustainable development,” he said.

He said Orange was committed to becoming apreferred digital partner for social entrepreneurs and digital start-ups across Africa and the Middle East.

“This mission is attainable through the Orange Social Venture Prize initiative, which promotes the use of digital technologies for social and economic development in underserved communities,” he added Dr Benon said Orange Social Venture Prize was open to pupils and entrepreneurs over the age of 21 with projects or start-ups under three years old.

He said national winners of the competition that emerged from a list of 95 applicants will compete for grand prize with other winners from Orange participating countries later this year.  

The three national winners received P50 000, P30 000 and P20 000 respectively and would also receive personalised support from Orange experts for their winning project. ENDS