Just before the Orange EA SPORTS FC™ 26 Grand Finale kicked off at Casablanca’s Sacré-Cœur on December 19, Orange Middle East and Africa’s (OMEA) Brand and Sponsoring Director outlined the tournament’s evolution. She highlighted Orange’s commitment to African esports and its efforts to build a more inclusive and sustainable competitive ecosystem.
We Are Tech (WAT): This tournament used to be called the Orange eSport Experience, but now it’s Orange EA SPORTS FC™ 26. Aside from the name, what has changed and why?
Muriel Cissé: You’re right. The Orange eSport Experience had a great seven-year run but we felt it was time to take the tournament to the next level, which is why we partnered with EA SPORTS, a true powerhouse in the gaming industry. Beyond boosting our credibility and visibility, the partnership gives our players the opportunity to compete on the brand-new EA Sports FC 26 platform.
The new format now brings together 15 African countries, plus Réunion Island, which is joining the Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) circuit for the first time. It’s a major step forward. Our ambition is to show that Africa and its young talent belong on the global esports stage, and working with a world leader in gaming is a key part of that journey.
Where does this edition fit within Orange’s overall strategy for esports growth in Africa and the Middle East?
This is really a natural evolution of our work. Since 2016, our ambition in esports has gone hand in hand with our core business as an internet service provider. High-speed broadband is the backbone of online gaming and tournament streaming.
Beyond connectivity, our second major focus is inclusion. For a long time, local champions struggled to access the international circuit. From the outset, we aimed to promote esports, help structure local ecosystems, and make gaming accessible to everyone.
Through the Orange eSport Experience tournaments we’ve organized since 2018, we’ve given players a platform to compete and gain visibility. This has helped strengthen local communities and has even led to the creation of official esports federations in several countries. We remain committed to that original mission: promoting esports, identifying local talent, delivering high-quality experiences, and giving players a pathway to the global stage.
Inclusion also underpins our commitment to ethical and responsible gaming. We want esports to be open to all young people and increasingly gender-inclusive. For our finale in Casablanca, we are proud to welcome several female competitors, particularly from Cameroon and Morocco.
Looking back since the launch, what are the key figures and results of Orange’s commitment to esports?
Since 2018, we have hosted five pan-African editions, giving our athletes the opportunity to connect and level up. The results have been positive on several fronts. We’ve played a key role in structuring emerging ecosystems by partnering with local grassroots associations. Today, we’re seeing the rise of official national federations in countries like Cameroon, Senegal, and beyond. Orange has been a major driver in this move toward professionalization.
In terms of the numbers, gaming is now the world’s leading entertainment industry, surpassing both film and music. While data for Africa can be limited, we are seeing explosive growth across the continent. Statista projects over 420 million players by 2026, with a gamer penetration rate of 27% across Africa. As a major operator in the Middle East and Africa, Orange is committed to staying at the forefront of this momentum.
Given the wide geographic spread of this event, what resources are being deployed to ensure a top-tier experience for both players and spectators?
It starts with the cutting-edge technology we provide to young gamers, specifically the high-speed broadband, fiber, and 5G networks we are rolling out across our markets. These allow players to compete with minimal latency and make it possible to broadcast the tournaments. Beyond basic connectivity, we are leveraging our flagship "super-app," Max it, which has 22 millions active users across 16 markets, to promote esports.
Moving forward, Max it will become even more integrated with the gaming world. For instance, the Casablanca finale will be live-streamed directly on the app. We are also planning to launch a dedicated gaming "hub" within the app featuring exclusive content: match streams, special offers, and educational tutorials from world-renowned gamers to mentor our local talent. Our goal is to provide genuine added value to the community through the Max it platform.
With the Grand Finale taking place in Casablanca on December 19–20, what is at stake for the local champions representing their countries? What kind of regional impact are you expecting from this event?
For our champions, it’s first and foremost a matter of national pride. They really tap into that patriotic spirit, especially since the tournament focuses on virtual football (EA Sports FC 26), which aligns perfectly with our long-standing commitment to the sport. On a personal level, it’s an incredible opportunity for these players to sharpen their skills.
In terms of future prospects, every champion competing here automatically qualifies for an upcoming EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile tournament scheduled for mid-2026. That competition will expand beyond the OMEA region to include Orange’s European markets, giving our champions the chance to test their skills against players from around the world. On top of that, the overall winner of this tournament will receive a VIP trip to visit Real Madrid.
Visibility is another major factor. The event will be broadcast on Max it, YouTube, and FCM TV (the official EA Sports FC channel).
As for the regional impact, this broad coverage significantly grows our audience, and we hope it inspires a new generation of gamers. Hosting a tournament of this caliber on the eve of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 highlights just how important esports is to Orange. We want to reinforce our commitment to supporting this ecosystem, helping establish regulations, and fostering the creation of national federations to propel our champions to the highest international levels.
Orange often speaks about a vision for "Responsible Esports" supported by the #ForGoodConnection program. What does this commitment look like in practice, and what initiatives are being held alongside the competition?
The #ForGoodConnection program allows us to raise awareness about cyberbullying and online safety. About two years ago, Orange launched “Safe Zones” within certain games in Europe. These are virtual spaces where players experiencing harassment can find immediate support and access contact information for advocacy groups.
Our responsible approach focuses on total inclusion, anti-bullying efforts, and the promotion of healthy screen time, which is a major priority in the esports world. #ForGoodConnection is a year-round commitment that we have fully integrated into this tournament.
One of our most concrete actions for this event was the intentional inclusion of female players. By bringing them into the competition, we are actively promoting gender diversity and making it clear that women have a central role in the future of esports.
What were some of the challenges you faced in organizing a tournament that spans 15 African countries and Réunion Island?
The institutional knowledge and experience we gained from previous editions of the Orange eSport Experience were invaluable. Our teams, based in London, Casablanca within the OMEA region, and across various local markets, have become seasoned experts in managing esports events. We also worked with a specialized agency. That collective effort and coordination allowed us to overcome challenges and bring this event to life.
The logistics were certainly demanding, particularly securing visas to bring all the players to Morocco. We were ultimately able to obtain approvals for nearly all participants. Organizing the event just ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 added another layer of complexity. However, by starting early and relying on our shared experience, we were
Beyond the professional players, how does Orange engage and unite local communities and casual fans in each country?
Our national qualifying phases are managed with a high level of professionalism, often held in venues that welcome live audiences to create a true "event" feel. These national finals are also frequently broadcast on local platforms, allowing us to reach a much wider audience of casual gamers and fans.
In several countries, we also sponsor public gaming centers where we host awareness programs and "brand activations" centered around casual matches. Our goal is to promote esports to the general public at a grassroots level, ensuring the ecosystem isn't just reserved for professionals, but is accessible to everyone.
Looking ahead, what is the future of Orange in the African esports scene?
Our biggest upcoming milestone is the international tournament slated for June/July 2026. This will be the next major chapter: an EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile tournament that will bring together not only Orange’s markets in Africa and the Middle East but also several of our European subsidiaries. This will create a truly cross-continental event, giving our African champions a global stage and the experience of competing at the highest level. The project is currently being finalized, but it perfectly embodies our ongoing commitment to inspiring youth, building esports awareness, and fueling innovation and passion across the continent.
Interview by Muriel Edjo
