Orange Middle East and Africa (MEA), in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), has launched the “Master Repair” project, an initiative designed to enhance youth employability and foster entrepreneurship by providing specialized training in electronics repair, solar technology, and fiber optic installations. This project is part of an ongoing partnership between the Orange Digital Center and GIZ and is aimed at addressing employment challenges and promoting a circular economy.
Targeting young people in Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, and Egypt, the initiative offers training in electronic device repair as well as the installation and maintenance of solar panels and optical fiber. With a focus on young women and people with disabilities, the project seeks to create decent job opportunities and equip beneficiaries with sustainable, market-ready skills, particularly in these regions.
The project is jointly funded with 2.85 million euros and has several strategic objectives:
- Strengthening Professional Skills: Providing young people, especially women and persons with disabilities, with the technical skills necessary to enter the job market in electronic repair and sustainable technologies.
- Promoting Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship: Through both technical and entrepreneurial training, the project aims to empower young people to start their own repair and maintenance businesses, contributing to a more resilient and inclusive economic ecosystem.
- Developing Sustainable Solutions: Encouraging the repair and reuse of electronic devices, the project promotes the circular economy, reduces CO2 emissions, and integrates sustainable solutions like solar energy and optical fiber.
By collaborating with local stakeholders, Orange MEA and GIZ reaffirm their commitment to inclusive economic development and sustainable innovation. The “Master Repair” initiative is implemented under the develoPPP program, commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and supported by the “Decent Work for a Just Transition” initiative. This aligns with Orange Digital Center’s mission to promote digital inclusion and support the development of digital skills for employment, particularly for youth and women.
Elisabeth Richter, Programme Manager for develoPPP for Jobs, stated, “I am delighted to be launching this new project. Technical training, especially in future technologies, strengthens the employability of young people and contributes to the creation of decent jobs. The inclusion of persons with disabilities is crucial in this regard.”
Orange’s collaboration with GIZ highlights its dedication to supporting youth, women, and people with disabilities toward sustainable professional integration. Together, the two organizations are investing in skills that will not only create opportunities but also contribute to building a circular, resilient economy for the future.