15th Orange Social Venture Prize Africa, Middle East: Orange Cameroun unveils winners to represent Cameroon internationally.

The winners, it was said, presented four outstanding projects, representing the bold, innovative spirit shaping the future of Cameroon and Africa, in the domains of tech and entrepreneurship.

The four winners were part of 10 applicants, selected from a poll of 400, officials disclosed at the ceremony. It was from among the 10 that the four best winners emerged. The audience to which their projects were presented comprised; members of the civil society, investors, journalists, and family members.

They all pitched their project to a jury composed of senior Orange Cameroun executives and seasoned players in the innovation ecosystem. They presented projects that showcased technological advancement with tangible social impact.

The winners comprised; Fred Ngaba with OSIA project. Ngaba said his project is AI-driven platform with ability to analyze students' performance and aptitudes to predict academic pathways.

Ngaba said the OSIA project offers a data-informed guide for future educational choices. With a cash prize of 4 million FCFA, “OSIA”, the jury said, stands as a beacon of tech-enabled educational support in Cameroon, Africa and beyond.

Reacting to the recognition, he said: "I'm thrilled and a bit surprised. We've designed a highly scalable AI and we want to tackle not only the local market but also the African market”.

He thanked Orange Cameroun, and particularly, the Orange Digital Centre for the support he received throughout his project. Another winner was DIWA INNOVATION, designed by Didier Dinamou. He placed his bid on a solar-powered clay refrigerator. 

It was judged to be a very vital practical response to the lack of electricity in rural communities, ensuring medicine and food preservation in a sustainable, low-cost manner.  Dinamou received a cash prize of 2 million FCFA.

The third prize went to OpenLab, developed by Abbo Ismael. The project proposes a virtual interactive medical laboratory, granting students access to safe, realistic practical training protocols, especially valuable in resource-limited settings. Abbo won a cash prize of 1.5 million FCFA.

Meanwhile, special recognition was reserved for women innovators. Orange Cameroun officials said the special prize shows Orange Cameroun’s commitment to gender inclusion. 

The special prize went to Sipoh, a discreet emergency kit, coupled with a mobile application that allows users, particularly women, to send alerts and share their location if they are in distress.

Djomgoue Nimatcha Darlanne, developer of the app was given the Special Female Prize with monetary compensation of 2 million FCFA. 

DG says Orange Cameroun stimulating digital ecosystem

Speaking to reporters about the POESAM Prize, the boss of Orange Cameroun, Dr. Patrick Benon, remarked that: “It is a prize that allows Orange to stimulate the digital ecosystem, encourage young startups to think even more innovatively, and to develop their projects”.

Dr Benon added that “…it is also about supporting and coaching project leaders”. 

Alain Blaise Batongue, Director of Institutional Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility at Orange Cameroun, said POESAM is a long-standing initiative fostering digital inclusion for social and economic development.

He hailed the high quality of entries received this year, viewing them as a strong indicator of the nation’s growing innovation potential. He also highlighted the increasing participation of young women. 

Batongue said it is a shift encouraged by the introduction of the International Female Prize in 2020. He disclosed that it is a concept born in Cameroon and now embraced by Orange Group.

Winners to fly Cameroon’s flag internationally 

The four winners, it was said, will now carry Cameroon’s flag to the international final of POSEAM. Officials of Orange Cameroun said the four winners will compete against other national laureates from across Africa and Middle East.

Beyond monetary rewards, the finalists, it was said, will gain tailored support and global visibility, thereby boosting their chances to scale their solutions. With support from platforms such as Orange Digital Centre and solidarity FabLabs, Orange Cameroun reinforces its role as a driving force behind inclusive and sustainable innovation. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3497 of Tuesday July 08, 2025