During a ceremony held on Monday September 8 in Tunis, Orange Tunisia unveiled the Tunisian winners of the Orange Prize of the social entrepreneur in Africa and the Middle East (Poesam). Four innovative projects, with a strong social impact, were distinguished and will represent Tunisia during the Grand International final.
This 15ᵉ edition has experienced a notable evolution with the introduction of National female pricea distinction launched in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in order to highlight female entrepreneurship and encourage inclusive innovation.
In total, 136 projects Were submitted this year, covering sectors as varied as education, health, agriculture, energy, mobility and the environment. A diversity that illustrates the dynamism of the Tunisian entrepreneurial scene and the growing role of new technologies in the search for sustainable solutions.
Faced with a jury made up of representatives of Orange Tunisia, UNDP, investors and experts from the startup ecosystem, Seven finalists presented their initiatives, including three carried by women.
The projects were evaluated by a jury bringing together reference actors from the entrepreneurial ecosystem, among which Adel Akrout (Orange Tunisia), Nadia Gouta (UNDP Tunisia), Faten Aissi (Flat6labs), Ghazi Saddem (Startup advisor), Zeineb Messaoud (Afrilabs), Ali Mnif (Digital Africa) and Patricia Rinke (Africinvest Group). The session was also followed by several guests from the media world, entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
At the end of the deliberations, the four awarded projects are:
- Desired (1st price) with Proverdya digital platform that helps companies measure, reduce and compensate for their greenhouse gas emissions;
- Malak Boukthir (2ᵉ price) with Ecofeedwhich transforms agricultural and sailors into sustainable food for livestock;
- Fehmi Kharroubi (3ᵉ price) with Exynotecha connected buoy combining IoT and AI for more durable fish farming;
- Jihene Touatiwinner of National female pricewith Arzaakan Edtech platform intended to support women who are not very educated in the enhancement of their creative talents.
The winners received endowments ranging from 5,000 to 15,000 dinarsas well as equipment support for the female price. They will soon participate in the international final, where they will try to win until 25,000 euros reward, but also reinforced support in terms of financing, networking and coaching.
Beyond the competition, this event confirms the place of social entrepreneurship as an engine of innovation in Tunisia and recalls how technological solutions can meet the current societal and environmental challenges.
