Sofrecom, a recognized expert in the telecom sector, has been dedicated to digital development in Africa since its inception. With 2,800 experts and consultants, we analyze technological trends, providing operational advice and solutions to operators, governments, and local institutions. Our end-to-end support addresses key sector challenges through four core expertise areas:

• Innovation and Digitalization
• IT and Telecom Networks
• Sustainable Development
• Change Management.

Leveraging our deep understanding of the African market and our two subsidiaries in Tunisia and Morocco, along with our new subsidiary in Benin, Sofrecom strengthens its presence in West Africa, bringing us closer to our clients.

Activities of Sofrecom in West Africa

Since 2018, the Government of Benin has launched a comprehensive plan for digital development with the ambition of becoming the digital platform in West Africa. The main pillars of this program include the deployment of high-speed infrastructure and the development of skills in this field. Sofrecom has contributed to the realization of the initial ideas.

In this context, Sofrecom is involved in the PDI2T project (Telecommunications and ICT Infrastructure Development Project) launched in 2016. The project aims to deploy a fiber infrastructure throughout the country to promote digital uses for both businesses and individuals. More than 2,000 km of optical fibers have been deployed, involving over 500 local employees at the peak of the project, all within an 18-month period. A second phase of this project, the PDRHD project, is currently underway, with the objective of securing certain optical loops and providing very high-speed connectivity to areas that are not yet covered.

Additionally, Sofrecom has supported the establishment of a School of Trades and Digital Technology. The goal is to enhance the employability of young people without qualifications and with a secondary education level by enabling them to access careers as fiber technicians. This project was developed in partnership with the Digital Campus of Montereau in France, which trains technicians in the intervention and maintenance of telecommunications. It offers practical training that awards a technician title recognized by international certification. The School of Trades and Digital Technology officially opened its doors in October 2020, and the first graduates were certified in 2022.

Finally, Sofrecom has recently supported several governments, such as Niger, Mauritania, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in their national digital strategies. This includes the creation of an agency dedicated to the registration and identification of populations, solutions for data hosting, as well as identifying levers for the development of financial inclusion.

With this new subsidiary, Sofrecom continues its commitment and the development of its activities, not only in Benin but also throughout the sub-region. As stated by Antoine Kone, CEO of Sofrecom West Africa and current CFO of the Sofrecom group: "The opening of our new Sofrecom subsidiary in Benin is a significant step in strengthening our presence in Africa. With Sofrecom West Africa, we continue our commitment to digital transformation and inclusion on the continent."

About Sofrecom:

Sofrecom, a subsidiary of the Orange Group, is a consulting, engineering, and services company specializing in the telecommunications sector. Sofrecom contributes to the development and digital transformation of its clients, including telecom operators, governments, and international institutions, by providing advice, development, and operational solutions. The company's activities are structured around three key areas: Consulting (business, IS, and networks), SI & Networks Engineering, and Application Development & Integration. Today, the company has over 2,800 consultants and multicultural experts from more than 30 nationalities, distributed mainly in France, Morocco, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates. Since its creation in 1966, the group has been working towards the development of responsible digital solutions that promote inclusion and respect for the planet. Sofrecom has supported over 100 countries worldwide.

For more information, visit our website: www.sofrecom.com,
or follow us on X: @sofrecom, on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/Sofrecom.

About Orange:

Orange is one of the leading telecommunications operators globally, with a turnover of 43.5 billion euros in 2022 and 137,000 employees as of September 30, 2023, including 73,000 in France. The Group served 296 million clients as of September 30, 2023, including 251 million mobile clients and 25 million fixed broadband clients. Present in 26 countries, Orange is also one of the world leaders in telecommunication services for multinational companies under the Orange Business brand. In February 2023, the Group presented its strategic plan, "Lead the Future," built on a new business model and guided by responsibility and efficiency. "Lead the Future" leverages network excellence to strengthen Orange's leadership in service quality. Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN).

For more information (on the web and your mobile): www.orange.com, www.orange-business.com, and the Orange News app, or follow us on Twitter: @presseorange. Orange and any other Orange products or services mentioned in this release are trademarks owned by Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited.