French telecom Orange has opened its Middle East and Africa operational head office in Morocco. Currently, Orange has established a presence in 18 countries in Africa and the Middle East.
Last October, the telecom provider had a total 125 million customers in those countries. In 2018, its sales revenue reached €5.2 billion, a local media report said.
Alioune Ndiaye, CEO Orange Middle East and Africa, told the local media that, “I am very proud to inaugurate alongside Stephane Richard and in the presence of all the members of the Orange Group’s Executive Committee this new head office in Casablanca. It sends a highly symbolic message, a turning point in the history of the Group that provides further proof of our desire to be even closer to our customers and to make Orange MEA the preferred multi-services operator for people in Africa and the Middle East.”
Orange’s mobile-based money transfer and financial service Orange Money is available in 17 countries, with 45 million customers.
One in ten Africans is a customer of Orange Middle East and Africa. Also, one in 30 Africans is a customer for Orange Money, a local media report said. More recently, Orange has selected Morgan Stanley and BNP to advise on its Middle East and Africa businesses’ IPO. Its IPO is anticipated to be the biggest in the Middle East and Africa in 2020.
The two banks will help the telecom provider prepare for the listing through an underwriting syndicate. Orange also plans to bring onboard more banks to join the deal at an advanced stage, Bloomberg reported.