ENTREPRENEURSHIP : Orange Cameroon backs high-potential start-ups with the 16th edition of POESAM
(LVDE) – Orange Cameroon launched, in early April 2026, the 16th edition of the Orange Social Venture Prize in Africa and the Middle East (POESAM). Open to start-ups and project leaders across 17 countries, including Cameroon, the program aims to identify and support digital solutions with strong growth potential, with the application deadline set for May 10, 2026.
Esther Grâce 
In a context of rapid growth in Africa’s digital economy, Orange Cameroon is strengthening its position as a key player in innovation by rolling out a new edition of POESAM. More than just a competition, the initiative stands out as a powerful tool for identifying and structuring start-ups capable of creating value and attracting investment. Applicants have until May 10, 2026 to submit their projects via the dedicated platform.
Through this initiative, the telecom operator targets growth-stage companies with viable prototypes, operating in high-potential sectors such as fintech, agritech, e-health, and edtech. The 2026 edition places particular emphasis on solutions integrating artificial intelligence, data, and cybersecurity—segments considered strategic in the transformation of African economies.
According to data from the GSMA and the World Bank, the digital sector is an increasingly important driver of growth in Africa, contributing several percentage points to GDP in many countries. In this landscape, tech start-ups are attracting growing levels of capital, with fundraising on the rise in recent years despite a more constrained global environment.
POESAM fits squarely within this dynamic by facilitating connections between young companies, industrial partners, and investors. Winners benefit from strategic support within Orange Digital Centers, including mentoring, specialized training, and access to funding opportunities. This framework aims to accelerate scaling and enhance the attractiveness of projects to investors.
The outcomes observed from previous editions confirm the relevance of this approach. Several award-winning start-ups have successfully structured their business models, raised funds, and expanded into new markets. This trajectory highlights the growing role of large corporations in fostering a competitive entrepreneurial ecosystem across the continent.
By focusing on impact-driven innovation, Orange goes beyond a corporate social responsibility approach and actively contributes to building a pipeline of companies capable of addressing economic and social challenges while generating growth. In an environment where competition for capital is intensifying, such programs appear as strategic tools to attract and channel investment flows toward high-potential ventures.
À propos de l'auteur
Tressy CHOUENTE 
Raphael Mforlem 
