Orange Announces Training 3 Million Young Africans in AI and Cybersecurity at Africa Forward Summit Opening

At the opening of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi on May 11, 2026, Orange (France's largest telecom operator) announced major expanded commitments for Africa and the Middle East: training more than 3 million young Africans in AI, cybersecurity, and digital skills by 2030, and expanding its Orange Digital Centers from 50 to 100 locations across Africa and the Middle East. The announcement came as France and African leaders convened for the two-day summit focused on economic partnership and digital transformation. Orange's 3-million-youth training target addresses a critical skills pillar of digital inclusion — the GSMA's Mobile Economy 2026 data shows Africa's 63% mobile internet usage gap is driven primarily by digital skills deficits rather than infrastructure absence. The Orange Digital Centers serve as free digital training hubs with coding programs, entrepreneurship support, and device access for unemployed youth.