In an achievement that underscores its clear commitment to community development and highlights its distinguished efforts in environmental protection and combating climate change in Egypt and the region through innovative and effective initiatives, Orange Egypt has won the Excellence Award from the international “Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit” as the best company in “Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative” in the telecommunications sector in Africa for the year 2024, alongside the French consulting firm Sofrecom, part of Orange Group.
The committee confirmed that Orange Egypt deserved the award for its dedication to achieving the ambitious climate goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, an impressive decade ahead of Europe’s set deadline, in addition to its exemplary efforts in maintaining sustainability by integrating environmental responsibility into its operations. This includes its innovative and diverse initiatives for environmental preservation, such as recycling, energy conservation, waste reduction, promoting solar energy, and renewing old electronic devices through initiatives like One Circle.
Orange’s sustainability efforts are further highlighted by its active role in the Switch to Circular Economy Value Chains (SWITCH2CE) pilot project, led by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Through One Circle, Orange is directly involved in transforming the electronics value chain in Egypt by promoting e-waste recycling and refurbishment. This aligns with the concept of “a new life for every device” and supports Egypt’s National Climate Change Strategy (NCCS 2050).
As a key partner in One Circle, Orange Egypt plays a pivotal role in driving the transition to a circular economy within Egypt’s electronics value chain. By promoting e-waste collection, refurbishment, and recycling, Orange directly supports the project’s mission of extending the life of devices and reducing electronic waste. Their efforts aim to build capacities and skills through integrated recycling programs designed to empower youth, technicians, and workers in the informal sector to acquire new skills and implement innovative practices.
This award also celebrates Orange Egypt’s environmental and climate efforts, which succeeded in reducing the company’s carbon emissions by 18% in 2023 by enhancing green sustainability practices across its networks, data centers, buildings, headquarters, and branches. Additionally, the company installed solar panels in 150 locations, entered into a historic power purchase agreement with the New and Renewable Energy Authority, and launched the first green store in the Middle East and Africa in Sharm El Sheikh.
Orange Egypt’s CEO, Yasser Shaker, said, “Orange believes in the importance of harmony between economic growth and environmental protection, ensuring we meet the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
For her part, Tania Asmar, Orange Egypt’s Chief of Staff, Climate, Transformation, and Governance Officer, asserts that “Our present actions determine our future,” confirming that the company is making significant progress in improving energy efficiency, transforming to renewable energy, optimizing resources, adopting the circular economy, and raising awareness.
About the “One Circle” pilot in Egypt:
The pilot “One Circle”, part of the global “Switch to Circular Economy Value Chains” project, targets the ICT and electronics value chain in Egypt. Its ambition is to create a broad alliance of partners – local SMEs and multinationals – committed to transforming ICT and electronics towards a more responsible development model, for the benefit of society as a whole. Led by UNIDO, Orange, Nokia, and Cordon, and supported on the ground by e-TADWEER and Haya Karima Foundation, the initiative focuses on supporting the adoption of circular economy practices, building local infrastructure to extend the life of ICT and electronics, and creating local capacity-building opportunities for sustainable change.
About SWITCH2CE:
The global Switch to Circular Economy Value Chains (SWITCH2CE) project is an initiative that assists EU multinational companies and their suppliers from developing countries to switch to more circular economy approaches and practices in three selected value chains: Plastic Packaging, Textile & Garments, and ICT and Electronics. The overall objective is to support the “Transformation towards a circular economy”, including to contribute to sustainable growth, low carbon and climate resilient development, decent jobs creation, and safer, healthier, and pollution-free environment.
SWITCH2CE is co-funded by the European Union and the Government of Finland, and implemented by UNIDO, in collaboration with Chatham House, Circle Economy, and the European Investment Bank. Learn more at: www.switchtocircular.eu
