Orange Africa & Middle East Q1 2025: 8th Consecutive Quarter of Double-Digit Growth
Orange Sees Growth in Africa and Middle East Amidst Mixed Q1 Results
PARIS (AP) — Orange, the multinational telecommunications corporation, reported a slight overall revenue increase for the first quarter of 2025, driven largely by strong performance in its Africa and Middle East division. While some European markets remained stable, and France saw a slight dip, the company’s African operations continued to surge.
Overall Financials
The company’s turnover for the first quarter reached 9.911 billion euros, a 0.6% increase year-over-year, equating to a 62 million euro rise. This growth was fueled by a 2.4% increase in retail services, which translates to 181 million euros. A smaller decline in operator services also contributed, dropping 3.1% or 44 million euros. However, equipment sales experienced a 5.7% decrease (38 million euros), and other revenues fell by 13.9% (37 million euros).
Africa and Middle East Lead the Way
Orange Africa and Middle East emerged as the primary growth driver, posting a 12.8% revenue increase, or 231 million euros. This surge is attributed to the robust performance of four key areas:
- Mobile data: +21.0%
- High-speed fixed broadband: +19.1%
- Orange Money: +22.1%
- B2B services: +17.1%
European Performance Varies
In France, revenues decreased by 1.3%, representing a 55 million euro decline. Detail services, excluding RTC, showed a growth of 1.5%, while services to operators decreased by 4.3%, aligning with company expectations.
Europe remained relatively stable, with a slight decrease of 0.2%, or 3 million euros.
Orange Business revenues experienced a drop of 4.9%, or 96 million euros, primarily due to the continued decline in fixed income.
Africa and Middle East: A Closer look
The Africa and Middle East sector demonstrated significant income growth, with historical data showing a 10.7% increase in the first quarter. This performance is largely due to the continued rapid development of retail services, which grew by 13.3%. The growth is supported by the four key drivers mentioned above, with favorable volume and value effects.
The mobile customer base in Africa and the middle East reached 163.4 million, a 6.7% year-over-year increase. The 4G mobile customer base saw double-digit growth of 23.9% compared to the previous year. The average mobile ARPU (average revenue per user) increased by 5.1% in the first quarter. The high-speed fixed customer base reached 4.2 million, a 20.0% increase. Orange Money reported 41.1 million active customers,a 16.1% increase.
Looking Ahead
The company expects continued growth in the Africa and Middle East sector. according to a press release dated April 24, 2025, the company aims for high single-digit EBITDAaL growth in the Africa & Middle East segment in 2025.
“The Africa and Middle east region continues to deliver extraordinary double-digit revenue growth for the eighth consecutive quarter.All growth engines are performing well, particularly the Data segment, which accounts for 60% of this quarter’s growth. This momentum is supported by our 4G and 5G networks, now used by over 80 million customers, as well as the rollout of our digital services, such as our super app Max it, which now has nearly 20 million users…”
— Christel Heydemann, CEO of Orange Group
Financial information is as of March 31, 2025.
Orange Q1 2025 Results: Growth in Africa and Middle East
Orange, a multinational telecommunications giant, unveiled its Q1 2025 results, showcasing a mixed bag of performance. While the company saw overall revenue growth, the driving force behind this success was its operations in Africa and the Middle East. Let’s delve into the details.
Q&A: Your Guide to Orange’s Q1 2025 Performance
Q: What were orange’s overall financial results for Q1 2025?
A: Orange reported a slight overall revenue increase of 0.6% year-over-year for the frist quarter of 2025, reaching 9.911 billion euros. This equates to a 62 million euro rise. The growth was substantially fueled by the Africa and Middle East region, offsetting certain declines in other areas. Notably, the company saw a 2.4% increase in retail services,contributing 181 million euros. However, there were declines in equipment sales (5.7% decrease, 38 million euros) and other revenues (13.9% decrease, 37 million euros).
Q: Which region drove the most growth for Orange in Q1 2025?
A: The Africa and Middle East division was the primary growth engine for Orange in Q1 2025, achieving a remarkable 12.8% revenue increase, or 231 million euros. This surge far surpassed the performance in other regions.
Q: How is Orange performing in the Africa and Middle East region?
A: The Africa and Middle East sector demonstrated critically important income growth, with a 12.8% revenue increase. Past data suggests a 10.7% increase in the first quarter.This is notably due to the continued rapid development of retail services, which grew by 13.3%.This solid performance is being driven by notable factors, including:
- Mobile data: +21.0%
- High-speed fixed broadband: +19.1%
- Orange Money: +22.1%
- B2B services: +17.1%
The region’s mobile customer base reached 163.4 million, representing a 6.7% year-over-year increase. Additionally, the 4G mobile customer base experienced impressive double-digit growth of 23.9%.The average mobile ARPU (average revenue per user) increased by 5.1%.
Q: What specific services are contributing to growth in the Africa and Middle East?
A: Four key areas drove the revenue increase in the Africa and Middle East:
- Mobile data: +21.0%
- High-speed fixed broadband: +19.1%
- Orange Money: +22.1%
- B2B services: +17.1%
Q: How did Orange perform in the European markets (France and other regions)?
A: The performance in European markets varied. France witnessed a revenue decrease of 1.3%, equating to a 55 million euro decline. However, detail services, excluding RTC, saw a rise of 1.5%. Europe as a whole remained relatively stable, experiencing a slight decrease of 0.2%, or 3 million euros. Orange Business revenues experienced a drop of 4.9%, or 96 million euros, due mainly to lower fixed income.
Q: What is Orange’s outlook for the Africa and Middle east region?
A: Orange’s outlook for the Africa and Middle East region remains positive.According to a press release dated April 24, 2025, the company is aiming for high single-digit EBITDAaL growth in the Africa & Middle East segment for the year 2025.
Q: What is Orange Money, and how is it performing?
A: Though not explicitly defined in the article, Orange Money is a digital financial service offered by Orange. In the Africa and Middle East region, Orange Money reported 41.1 million active customers in Q1 2025, marking a 16.1% increase.
Key Quote:
“The Africa and Middle east region continues to deliver remarkable double-digit revenue growth for the eighth consecutive quarter. All growth engines are performing well, particularly the data segment, which accounts for 60% of this quarter’s growth. This momentum is supported by our 4G and 5G networks, now used by over 80 million customers, and also the rollout of our digital services, such as our super app Max it, which now has nearly 20 million users…”
— Christel Heydemann, CEO of Orange Group
Financial details is as of March 31, 2025, as stated in the original article.