Orange reported strong first-half 2026 performance, with its Africa and Middle East (OMEA) business emerging as one of the group’s strongest growth engines, supported by rising demand for mobile data, fintech services and fixed broadband across the region.
The operator’s regional business continued to benefit from expanding digital adoption, increasing smartphone penetration and sustained investment in telecommunications infrastructure. Growth across the Middle East and Africa helped offset slower performance in more mature European markets, reinforcing the strategic importance of the region within Orange’s global portfolio.
The results highlight the growing contribution of emerging markets to the company’s long-term growth strategy as demand for digital connectivity and financial services accelerates.
Mobile data and fintech continue to power regional growth
Orange’s Africa and Middle East business has increasingly shifted beyond traditional voice services, with mobile internet and digital financial services becoming key revenue drivers.
The continued expansion of 4G networks, increasing smartphone adoption and growing consumption of digital content have fueled strong demand for mobile data services. At the same time, Orange Money has continued to expand its role in supporting financial inclusion by providing mobile payments, money transfers and other digital financial services to millions of customers across the region.
These businesses are becoming increasingly important as operators diversify revenue streams beyond conventional telecommunications services.
Infrastructure investment supports long-term expansion
Orange continues to invest in expanding network capacity and improving broadband infrastructure across its Africa and Middle East footprint.
Network modernization, fiber deployment and enhanced mobile coverage are helping improve service quality while supporting increasing demand for cloud services, enterprise connectivity and digital applications. These investments are also enabling governments and businesses to accelerate digital transformation initiatives and improve access to reliable communications infrastructure.
Building resilient digital infrastructure remains essential to supporting future technologies such as artificial intelligence, edge computing and advanced enterprise services.
Emerging markets are becoming strategic growth engines
Telecommunications operators are increasingly relying on high-growth emerging markets to drive overall business performance.
Compared with mature markets where subscriber growth has largely plateaued, countries across Africa and the Middle East continue to experience rising mobile adoption, expanding digital economies and increasing enterprise demand for connectivity. This creates opportunities for operators to grow revenues through digital services, fintech, cloud computing and business solutions alongside traditional telecom offerings.
For multinational operators such as Orange, these regions have become central to long-term investment strategies.
Digital transformation is reshaping regional telecom markets
Across Africa and the Middle East, telecommunications companies are evolving into broader digital service providers.
Operators are expanding portfolios that include fintech, cloud computing, cybersecurity, digital identity and enterprise solutions while supporting governments’ ambitions to build knowledge-based digital economies. This evolution is strengthening the role of telecom providers as critical enablers of economic development, financial inclusion and digital innovation.
Orange’s continued growth in the region reflects this broader transformation of the telecommunications industry.
Why this matters
Orange’s first-half performance demonstrates the increasing importance of Africa and the Middle East to global telecom operators. Sustained growth in mobile data, broadband and digital financial services highlights the region’s expanding role as a driver of innovation, investment and long-term revenue growth within the global telecommunications sector.
Editor’s note
The strong performance of Orange’s Africa and Middle East business underscores a broader industry trend in which emerging markets are becoming the primary engines of growth for multinational telecom operators. Rising demand for digital connectivity, financial technology and enterprise services is reshaping operator business models, encouraging greater investment in network infrastructure and value-added digital platforms. As digital economies continue to expand across the region, operators that successfully combine connectivity with innovative digital services are likely to be best positioned for sustainable long-term growth.
